The lives of four lost servicemen were remembered today (November 24), as an official ceremony paid tribute to their sacrifice.

The men, who died during the Second World War while serving in the British armed forces, were commemorated as their names were added to the Loughton war memorial on King’s Green.

Warrant officer Harold J Bassingthwaighte, pilot officer G F Russell Cooke, able seaman Charles G Howe and second lieutenant Harold J Martin were remembered by family members and in the thoughts of the officials, school children and gathered members of the public.

Led by the Revd Hugh Taylor, the service was emotional for relatives seeing their loved ones’ names finally added to the monument by Loughton Town Council.

Linda Mooney is the daughter of warrant officer Bassingthwaighte yet tragically never met her father, as he died fighting in Egypt just two years after she was born.

Having travelled from Manchester for the ceremony, she said: “My mother died when I was 29 and I only know what she has told me of him.

“It was such a dreadful experience for her, it was so hard for her to talk about it.”

She added: “My grandmother was very upset that he was not on it, my mother did not say a great deal about it but I started writing to the council, and here we are with his name on the plaque.

“I am very grateful for them, for what they have done today.”

Graham Martin, the nephew of second lieutenant Martin, also attended.

After the death of his RAF pilot father John F Martin last year, who had lived in the family home in Tycehurst Hill, Mr Martin said his family was very grateful for the commemoration.

His uncle died in 1942 in an accident while training recruits but his name was never added to the monument, despite also living in Loughton in the family home.

Mr Martin said: “It has been 73 years in the making and I am only sad that his parents are no longer alive.

“It is finally concluded, that name will be there forever.”