OUR story about a new memorial to commemorate Dartmouth First World War Victoria Cross hero Theodore Veale stirred memories for local publisher Richard Webb and author Don Collinson.

As reported last week, a new memorial paving stone is to be laid in Dartmouth to mark the centenary of the Battle of the Somme, in which Corporal Veale was awarded the Victoria Cross in 1916.

More than a decade ago, two Victoria Cross recipients from the neighbouring riverside communities of Dartmouth and Kings­wear were honoured in two ceremonies that took place on Rememb­rance Sunday, November 10, and Armistice Day, November 11, 2002.

The two ceremonies were held within 24 hours of each other in the communities which face each other across the River Dart.

Around 2000, Dart­mouth publisher Mr Webb and Mr Collinson from Kingswear discovered that there were no memorials to Corporal Veale or Lt Col H Jones of Kingswear. The next two years were spent researching, organising and seeking funds for the memorials – one in Royal Avenue Gardens and another blue plaque on the Ferry Slip at Kingswear.

Sir Ray Tindle, the owner of the Dartmouth Chronicle, had served with the Devonshire Regiment and strongly agreed that ‘Teddy’ Veale’s heroism should be marked by a memorial in his home town and kindly helped fund the Veale plaque and gave a moving tribute when it was dedicated.

Similarly, the Jones family donated funds for the memorial to the Falkland’s hero.

The Dartmouth plaque was unveiled by Corporal Veale’s daughter, Theo­dora Grindell, whom with the help of the Royal British Legion, Mr Webb and Mr Collinson had previously located and invited to the occasion.

A military band and a guard of honour from the then Devonshire and Dorset regiment were in attendance and it was a very moving occasion with local hero ‘Teddy’ Veale’s bravery finally marked in his home town.

Lt Eric Savill, the wounded officer he saved, later became the Deputy Ranger of Windsor Great Park and later Sir Eric Savill.

He created two gardens at Windsor and one was named the Savill Garden. He also originated the National Collection of Magnolias. The Savill Garden generously donated four magnolias to Dartmouth’s Veale/Savill Garden that surrounds the plaque and South Hams District Council’s interpretation board in Royal Avenue Gardens.

Today the garden is maintained beautifully by the council gardeners and represents a permanent and poignant link between these two brave soldiers of the First World War.