The French Pass community’s request for a permanent memorial to acknowledge those from their community who did not return from World War 1 and World War 2 has been approved by Council’s Assets and Services Committee.

Acting Chair, Councillor Geoff Evans, said Council’s Assets and Services Committee today agreed to contribute $8,000 towards the project, which will see the construction of a stone wall memorial adjacent to the existing French Pass Hall.

“Subject to full Council approval early next month, the memorial will be built on Council reserve land and will feature stone plaques similar to many war memorials throughout New Zealand.

Five First World War and six Second World War local French Pass servicemen gave their lives and are lost or interred overseas on a number of battlefields. This permanent, public memorial will recognise those fallen soldiers,” Clr Evans said.

The French Pass Memorial Hall Committee Group will seek to secure funding for this project through Council’s Community Projects Fund – part of the Small Townships Programme. Council staff will work with the Memorial Group, including committee members Angela Fitchett and Dean Baigent, who attended today’s meeting, during the application process and throughout the project.

It is anticipated that the memorial will be completed prior to the 2019 ANZAC Day anniversary.

ENDS

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