AN APPEAL has been made to include names of servicemen who died in the First World War omitted from Llandudno’s War Memorial.

When the original choice of names was made soon after the War several names of local lads were left off according to Andy Leitch, who lives in Llandudno.

A former RAF test pilot, he said: “For the last four years, I have been researching the WW1 names on the Llandudno War Memorial and on the marble tablets in the Memorial Chapel Holy Trinity Church. Both memorials are nominally the same except that the Memorial Chapel, dedicated two years after the Llandudno War Memorial, has an additional five names.

“I found 16 names connected with Llandudno which are not on the War Memorial, but some don’t have strong links with the town, but there are 10 which do.

“It became obvious to me several names were missing from both memorials. These names were not only those who had a passing connection with the town, but some who were Llandudno Lads born and bred.”

Andy added: “Ultimately, I compiled a list of 16 men who were potentially missing from the Llandudno War Memorial, 11 of which were missing from the Memorial Chapel of Holy Trinity Church.

“I suggested to Llandudno Town Council, the guardian of the Llandudno War Memorial, that 2018 would be an appropriate year to acknowledge the missing names and ensure that they were remembered in perpetuity.

“Unfortunately, my first approach led to a negative reply. I was informed the names could not be considered because they were listed on other local war memorials, such as the memorial in Holy Trinity Church, a number were not killed in action during the First World War but died subsequently, and some had tenuous links to Llandudno.

“I appealed this decision and on reconsideration, the Town Council allowed just two names though some confusion still exists as to which two names. Even applying the Town Councils’ restrictions, then another two Llandudno Lads, both born and schooled in the town, both killed in action, and both without any known war memorials anywhere, have failed to be selected.

He added: “The council’s restriction to those who were killed in action during the war I believe is flawed. The present War Memorial contains the names of 20 men who died after the Armistice, the last dying on 21 March 1921. The War Memorials Trust, whose recommendations the Town Council claims to have embraced, recommends the wishes of those who originally created the memorial are respected. But for some reason, the council has decided to tighten the rules.

“I have also questioned why inclusion in Holy Trinity Church is considered reason enough why these men should not be honoured by their local community. Surely inclusion in Holy Trinity Church is good evidence that these men were excluded in the initial selection of names in 1919.

“Finally, 15 of the 16 names that I submitted are commemorated in perpetuity by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission as recorded in the National Debt of Honour. I have pointed out that it would be considered extremely curious if a warrior was recognised by his country yet not in his local community."

A spokesperson for Llandudno Town Council said the authority had received a request to include the following names on the War Memorial which are thought to have been omitted: Mr T A M Davies, Mr WH Davies, Mr A E Evans, Mr G Everingham, Mr L G Griffith, Mr W A Hart, Mr T J Hughes, Mr J Jones, Mr J W Jones, Mr R T Jones, Mr T A March, Mr F Mitchell, Mr H I Powell, Mr E J Roberts, Mr W Roberts, Mr M S Williams

The spokesman said: “Following discussion and advice from the War Memorials Trust, it is the Town Council’s intention to place a plaque in the war memorial flower beds to commemorate any additional names it believes meets the criteria required and will follow the guidelines of the War memorials Trust in doing so.

“Family members and other residents are invited to submit information and sources of information on the above names or any other names relating to the First World War, that they consider to be missing from the war memorial, to inform the Town Council’s decision making.

“The town council is mindful of the sacrifice made by the town’s residents during the First World War and other conflicts, particularly in this the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War.

"Please contact Llandudno Town Council on telephone 01492 879130 or email deputyclerk@llandudno.gov.uk if you have any information."