'Proud day' as veteran's new memorial unveiled

Clara Bullock
BBC News, Bristol
BBC Men in suits and uniform are standing around three pillars that make up a new memorial. They are saluting it.BBC
The memorial was unveiled in a ceremony on Saturday

A memorial for people who have lost their lives since World War Two has been unveiled after a huge community effort.

The commemorative structure at Severn Beach, near Bristol, was made of donated materials with the help of local bricklayers to honour military personnel who lost their lives in the last 80 years.

A group of veterans raised funds for the memorial because they felt the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire was too far away.

Patrick Jackson, who started the fundraiser, said: "It's been a long time in the making. We've had many problems but we eventually achieved what we aimed for. I'm very proud to be here for this."

Three wooden pillars with a poppy display. The sea can be seen in the background.
A new memorial remembers service people who lost their lives since World War Two

It is made of three oak pillars to represent the Navy, the Army and the Air Force.

"Most of the materials have been provided by local business people and we got a lot of assistance from people in the village," Mr Jackson said.

"We want to make people aware that there are people that have volunteered their services to the country."

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