CHESHIRE West and Chester Council (CWAC) is ‘committed’ to replanting a First World War soldier’s memorial garden in a Cheshire West town after it mysteriously vanished.

Winsford-born Sergeant James Clarke was awarded the Victoria Cross by King George V in 1919 for acts of gallantry as the war with Germany was coming to an end the previous November. 

One hundred years on, in 2018, his heroic deeds were honoured by the town, which included naming a street after him, James Clarke Road, on the then new Oakmere housing development.

It also included a new memorial paving stone and two benches, one near Brio’s Winsford Lifestyle Centre on The Drumber, along with flower beds in the shape of a sergeant’s V-shaped rank insignia, called ‘chevrons’.

 

Chester and District Standard: Sgt James Clarke was awarded the Victoria Cross for acts of gallantry in Wolrd War One in 1919Sgt James Clarke was awarded the Victoria Cross for acts of gallantry in Wolrd War One in 1919 (Image: Supplied)

However, in November, former Winsford town councillor, Charlie Parkinson, who was involved with the original project to honour the hero's memory, noticed the chevron planting had mysteriously vanished.

“I just couldn’t believe it,” Charlie said.

“I couldn’t say for sure when they vanished as I don’t pass there often now.

“But you can’t just get rid of them without any kind of public consultation.

"The chevrons are an integral part of the memorial, and as such, they really ought to have been maintained.”

Chester and District Standard: Residents and dignitaries at the naming of James Clarke Road, in honour of one of Winsford's most distinguished heros of World War One Residents and dignitaries at the naming of James Clarke Road, in honour of one of Winsford's most distinguished heros of World War One (Image: Newsquest)

Charlie raised the issue at the meeting of Winsford Town Council on December 18, then with CWAC, who are responsible for maintain the memorial.

While the council offered no explanation for the chevron’s mysterious disappearance, it fully accept responsibility for their maintenance, and said it was 'committed’ to replanting them in the spring or early summer, next year. 

A CWAC spokesman said: “Works to reinstate the chevrons will begin as the weather improves, and they will be complete in time for our summer bedding displays next year which are planted late May to early June.

“The area in front of the memorial stone has also been reseeded to improve the condition of the green space.

“CWAC remains committed to maintaining the memorial garden, and to honouring the distinguished service of Sgt James Clarke.”