A FACULTY from Exeter Diocese has been granted to install a memorial tablet to servicemen and women from Sidmouth who have died in conflicts after World War Two.

A FACULTY from Exeter Diocese has been granted to install a memorial tablet to servicemen and women from Sidmouth who have died in conflicts after World War Two.

The tablet, measuring 1,300mm by 500mm, will cost around �1,500 to make and fit in Sidmouth Parish Church.

It will be put under a larger memorial to those who died during the Second World War and will have the inscription: In Memory of Those Killed in Conflicts since 1945.

Dave O'Connor, chairman of the Sidmouth branch of the Royal British Legion, has been working to have the tablet installed to commemorate David Hamson, who was 19 when he was killed during the battle of Imjin River in Korea in April 1951.

David, who was born in Manstone Avenue, died at Gloster Hill on April 25 - the last day of battle.

Private Hamson served with 1st Battalion of the Devonshire Regiment and was seconded to the 1st Battalion of the Gloucester Regiment, in Malaya, before being posted to Korea.

Mr O'Connor said: "I would like to have the memorial dedication on April 25 next year. It is a Sunday and the anniversary of David's death at the battle."

He will launch an appeal to raise money to fund the tablet, which will be installed by Potburys.

Mr O'Connor applied to the Service Personnel and Veterans Agency asking if medals due to Private Hamson could be issued for his family. His sister, Olive Watts, lives in Budleigh Salterton.

He has received his Malayan medal, UN medal and Korean medal and will apply for the National Service medal and the new Elizabeth Cross medal, announced this year, for those killed in conflict after 1945.

He will have them properly mounted before they are presented to the family.

Mr O'Connor said: "Olive is chuffed to bits they have come through. I started this three years ago when I applied for my Armed Forces Veterans badge."

Since receiving his AFV badge through the post, Mr O'Connor, with help from his vice-chairman Richard Waring, has had 270 of the badges and certificates presented to service veterans from the area.

*If you would like to contribute towards the new memorial tablet contact Mr O'Connor on (01395) 516160.