At-risk war memorial is saved by devoted resident

The rebuilt memorial in Shrub End was unveiled in time for Remembrance Sunday

A war memorial which was at risk of demolition has been rebuilt thanks to the efforts of a local resident who died before its competition.

The memorial in Shrub End near Colchester, which was more than 100 years old, fell into disrepair.

Kevin Starling, who lived in the neighbourhood for 45 years, battled for six years to get the memorial rebuilt, but died in January.

Speaking at the unveiling of the restored memorial, his widow Sue Starling said her husband "would have been thrilled" with the result.

'Got to do something'

Although it was a listed building, the Shrub End memorial was in danger of being knocked down due to concerns over its structural integrity and safety, prompting it to be surrounded by a metal fence.

Ms Starling said her husband researched the 17 names on the memorial's plaque.

"Seeing the state the memorial was in, he said 'I've got to do something about it'," she told the BBC.

Kevin and Sue Starling were married for 47 years, spending 45 of them living in Shrub End

No-one came forward to claim ownership or responsibility for the memorial - or the land it sat on - so Mr Starling set about securing planning permission for the restoration and trying to secure funds.

After joining forces with Sir Bob Russell, High Steward of Colchester and the city’s former Liberal Democrat MP, Mr Starling formed the War Memorial Conservation and Restoration Group.

Eventually the £46,000 required was secured with funding from the War Memorials Trust, Colchester City Council and various other groups, companies and individuals, including Olympic rower James Cracknell who ran the London Marathon in support.

After his death - due to ill health - the group vowed to continue in his name.

The war memorial was surrounded by fencing for years due to fears over its structural integrity

In a short ceremony attended by children from three local schools, the memorial was unveiled by Ms Starling and a wreath was laid by the commander of Colchester Garrison, Lt Col Ed Rankin.

The Last Post was played, and a reading was given by the Reverend Roger Morris, the Bishop of Colchester.

"People have got somewhere to come and pay their respects, and I’ve got somewhere I can come and talk to my dad," said Kirk, Mr Starling's son.

"This is his legacy, and it's finished."

The unveiling was attended by Mr Starling's family as well as Sir Bob Russell, High Steward of Colchester, and the Bishop of Colchester

"None of this would have happened if it hadn’t been for Kevin Starling's determination that he was not going to see this memorial be lost forever," Sir Bob Russell told the BBC.

"That war memorial will last for another 100 years, if not more."

"It looks fantastic, it’s what he wanted," said his wife.

"I just wish Kevin was here to see it, he desperately wanted to see it finished."