A review of policy on how long wreaths are left at war memorials has been ordered after the son of a Second World War veteran criticised their early removal.

 

Martin Heath, whose grandfather also served in the First World War, said he was upset to discover 25 wreaths were removed from the memorial in Kings Head Hill, Chingford, last week - six months earlier than usual.


The 59-year-old has been laying a wreath at the spot for the last five years with fellow members of the Woodford-based Foresters Scooter Club.


He said: "I was dismayed. It was a sad decision.


"The memorial is there to commemorate the people who died in the two world wars and it’s the First World War’s 100th anniversary next year."


"The south Chingford memorial still has a wreath on it and the small wooden crosses are still at north Chingford.

 

"Saying they’ll become unsightly is a bit of a feeble excuse because they never used to rot away."


The council, which is responsible for maintaining memorials, has admitted the current policy on wreaths is not clear and will now be clarified following a consultation.


Councillor Clyde Loakes said: "Honouring those who have lost their lives as a result of war is important and laying wreaths at memorials on Remembrance Day is a key date in the calendar that is rightly respected.


"The procedures around when wreaths are removed prior to the following year’s event is not entirely clear at the moment and accordingly I have asked officers to agree a policy that will apply to all memorials throughout the borough.


"Needless to say we will be consulting with interested parties such as the Royal British Legion in order to ensure that everyone can both contribute to the discussion and be aware that when our contractors remove wreaths they do so respectfully and consistently throughout the borough."


Stan Bonner, chairman of the Chingford branch of the Royal British Legion, said the wreaths should be left there year round.

 

He said: "This is something we think is important. We've sorted it out now with the council who've promised it won't happen again.

 

"It's our job to make sure people who died in the wars are recognised and honoured."

 

He said the wreaths they lay are all artificial and stay quite fresh all year long.