Pebble war memorial restoration is complete

A project to restore pebbles painted to tribute soldiers who died in World War One has been completed.

Saltash Pebble Memorial was originally created in 2018 by the town's Great War 1914-1918 Committee to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the end of WW1.

Over time the 141 named and individually painted stones which mark the town's fallen soldiers had begun to fade.

Lynn Marsh, a member of the committee, said the pebbles had been reinstated in resin with a special coating so it was hoped they would have "a really good longevity now".

The pebbles represent all 140 soldiers from the Cornwall town who died during WW1, with the extra pebble marking those whose names were never recorded.

Marsh said: "Some of the pebbles were painted with nail-varnish, some of them with Sharpie pens, one we found was actually painted with lipstick but this time an artist, David Whittley, has used quality paint."

Another member of the Great War Committee, Sue Hooper, was behind the idea of the Saltash Pebble Memorial.

She said: "We believe it is the only pebble memorial of its kind.

"It's so unique and Saltash has led the way in how we can uniquely remember our fallen."

Jane Michie's late husband painted a pebble that is included in the garden.

She said: "His grandfather served in the First World War and the Second World War in Malta because his family were Maltese so it was quite important to him.

"It's just a place for reflection for me, about memories of my husband and our lives together, so I often come here to enjoy a quiet moment."

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