A LOWER Wensleydale village which has been without a war memorial for more than 100 years has now had the situation rectified.

Fifteen people from the villages of Constable Burton, Hauxwell and Finghall lost their lives in the service of their country during the two great conflicts of the 20th century. Although their names are read out on Remembrance Day, they have no permanent memorial.

The task of rectifying this omission was taken up by Constable Burton resident Major George Tomlinson (retired) MBE.

He said: “We had a tree in the village that was diseased and faced being chopped down.

“We had the idea it could form a lasting memorial to all those who died in the service of their country.”

Following consultation on designs, Lukasz Beben was commissioned for the job and finished last week.

The intricate wood carvings include fauna and flora found in the area, and has a centre piece bronze plaque with the names of the 15 who died as a result of the two world wars.

Within the carving, the heron is also a poignant reminder to Mr and Mrs Wyvill, whose own son Freddie died several years ago, and who also have a relative mentioned on the plaque.

Included in the roll of honour are two pilots who died in training accidents, a woman who was torpedoed aboard a troopship and a PoW who died during forced work constructing Burma’s Railway of Death, for which Major Tomlin is unequivocal in their inclusion.

The work was paid for by the Wyvill family, local donations, a grant from the Lower Wensleydale Area Partnership and North Yorkshire County Council’s Cllr Karin Sedgwick from her locality budget.

The memorial was inspected by a small team of well-wishers who expressed their satisfaction with the work. It will be officially unveiled to the village in early April, although the actual date is yet to be confirmed.