MADAM – On August 3, I as chairman of the council attended a ceremony of the dedication of a bench in memory of one of our local young men named Private Howard Pegler of the 2nd/5th Battalion, who sadly died at the tender age of 19 fighting for his country in what was to be one of the bloodiest conflicts in human history, The Great War.

Private Pegler was born in Thrupp in 1899, where some of his living relatives still reside today.

This was a dedication by his great nephew, Mr Mark Hyam, who wanted his memory preserved by the placing of this bench.

I was saddened to hear that Private Pegler lost his life like so many of our brave service men and women who, over the many years, have fought and sacrificed their lives for us.

Private Pegler died as a result of his wounds as he fought to liberate three French villages, where 563 soldiers lost their lives.

War seems “over there” somewhere, but when the reality of local men and women have gone from our community and sadly not returned, “war” seems very close to home.

Private Pegler is buried at Terlincthun British Cemetery in Wimille in France.

I meant when I said in my insignificant speech that the saying of those immortal words we speak every year around Remembrance day that “in the evening and in the morning we will remember them”.

Private Pegler, and all lost service men and women, as we recall the years of wars we do indeed “remember them”.

Cllr Mark Rees Chairman of Stroud District Council (Cainscross, Lab)