William deserves to be recognised

CALLS to honour a fallen soldier are being listened to.

Thousands of people back the campaign to remember William Savage, a corporal killed by a boobytrap bomb in Afghanistan.

This was a family man, his life cruelly ended weeks before his son was born.

It’s hoped his name could be added to a war memorial in his hometown of Ardrossan. Mum Isobel had wanted a street named after him locally, but it was too late to amend plans.

For now, she just wants this brave soldier commemorated in a fitting way.

He could be added to the war memorial, and the British Legion have been asked for help. But this request has run into a quagmire of bureaucracy and complication.

The names of the servicemen who gave their lives since 1945 are listed on the Armed Forces Memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire.

But the act of remembering Britain’s war dead from more recent conflicts is not always reflected on town memorials.

This would require councils to consult the Armed Forces, veterans and their families on their views about remembering those who have lost their lives.

There are estimated to be 100,000 war memorials in the UK. Councils have the power to add names to war memorials for conflicts occurring after they were erected.

Surely now is the time for this anomaly to be sorted – starting with William Savage. He was an exceptional soldier.

He died with two comrades from The Royal Regiment of Scotland. Nine Afghan soldiers were killed and six other troops were injured.

William deserves recognition. What better way than to be remembered alongside those who made the ultimate sacrifice from his hometown?