A PARISH councillor has vowed to remember the names of the fallen – including his uncle – etched in stone in a Laceby church, which could soon to be converted into six homes.
As reported, Laceby Methodist Church, in Chapel Lane, held its final service in August last year and was sold to private owners George Walker and Geoff Standley.
The new owners have confirmed that they plan to convert the main chapel into a four-bedroom house and four flats which they plan to submit a planning application for in the next few weeks.
Mr Standley and Mr Walker have already applied to North East Lincolnshire Council for planning permission to convert the building at the back into a two-bedroom home.
However, the main chapel contains a list of the names of men who died in the First World War which parish councillor Dave Marshall, whose uncle, Thomas William Marshall is on the list, has vowed to return to the community.
"This is a very personal task and I feel that is absolutely essential that these men, who gave their lives, are remembered," he said.
The new owners unlocked the building on Remembrance Day so that Mr Marshall and fellow councillor Sue Turner could lay wreaths by the list for what he believes is the first time since he became a parish councillor 36 years ago.
Mr Marshall plans to stand down as a councillor in April, but has vowed to return the stone to "its rightful place" in Laceby Cemetery before he does – and the new owners have promised to help.
Electrician Geoff Standley, 29, of Scartho, served in the Royal Artillery for five years, before he worked for local firm McCann's Street Lighting.
Mr Standley said: "We will do everything we can to help, but I think it is important that we find the right location for it because it can't just go into storage – something like that should be seen.
Joiner Mr Walker, 26, who watched the parade on Remembrance Day, said: "We want to see the plaque put somewhere in the village where people can see it and we're happy to help take it out and secure it in its new home."
Mr Walker and Mr Standley plan to submit an application for their plans for the chapel in the next few weeks.
Mr Standley added: "The outside will remain mainly unchanged although we hope to restore it to how it used to look.
"We believe that putting these buildings back into use as homes is the best way to secure the buildings for the future.
"We have spoken to some of the neighbours who don't seem to have any objections to our plans."
