MORE than 30 names have been added to a town War Memorial following a programme of improvements.

The Leader reported last month how works by Blackwell’s Stonecraft Ltd were to be undertaken to refurbish the Buckley War Memorial situated in the Hawkesbury Garden of Remembrance.

Cllr David Ellis, who led the project's working group, said he was delighted to confirm the scheme was completed last week (Thursday, April 23) and a total of 36 new names have been added.

He said: "It looks fantastic and it is a great credit to Steve Blackwell and his team - they have done an immense job here - as well as to project manager Victor Lamb.

"There has been a lot of research by the Buckley Society and the outcome is excellent.

"I am very humbled to have been a part of it.

"We were going to have it dedicated on VE Day, but due to coronavirus that will have to take place at a later date - we will keep everyone informed."

In addition to cllr Ellis the working group comprised Royal British Legion Buckley Branch chairman Steve Evans and treasurer Ray Newman, ward councillor Carol Ellis, Buckley Society secretary Paul Davies and archivist Carol Shone, project manager Victor Lamb and Gwenno Eleri Jones of Flintshire Council.

Cllr Carol Ellis said: "I have been trying for 16 years to get this memorial refurbished because it is very important that we continue to remember that they gave everything for us all. "This has been a collective effort and it looks very impressive."

Carol Shone, of the Buckley Society, explained that society member Peter Kelsall and military research contact Graham Caldwell had been the two main researchers - with assistance from a number of others including secretary Paul Davies.

"I think everyone's very pleased with it," she said. "It is something that has needed doing for an awful long time. "The team has worked together very well and we have had it done in pretty quick time considering the virus shutdown."

She added the resources used to undertake the research had included the Buckley at War website, as well as Flintshire War Memorials.

The new names added to the memorial are as follows:

WWI: S. Ankers, E. Davies RWF, E. Davies SWB, G. Davies, F. Davison 3839, W. Davison, J. Ellis 25673, J.H. Evans, J. Fennah, A. Harris, G.W. Hastings, R. R. Hughes, T.C. Hughes, J. Iball, G.W. Isaac, O. Jones, S. Jones 36047, W. Millington, S. C. Piercy, W. Powell, G. Roberts, W. Roberts 6725, W. S. Roberts, J. Weigh and B. H. Williams.

WWII: W. Bunting, R.G. Earl, R.G. Jones, W. Millington, C. Shone, H. Shone, J.A. Snape, E.J. Williams and C.N. Wright.

WAZIRISTAN: B. Lamb.

IRAQ: KJ Stowell.