Father Will Hazlewood, the vicar of Dartmouth, has condemned claims that townspeople should be barred from commemorating the sacrifices of its Great War servicemen in their own parish church. Former town and district councillor Brian Boughton has protested that a First World War commemoration should be kept out of St Saviour's Church because many of the veterans descendants are not practising Christians. But Fr Hazlewood hit back this week, saying: 'I find it very sad that Dr Boughton, as a confirmed atheist and as someone who constantly seeks to undermine the role of the church, is taking this view. But I can assure you that, whether you believe in God or not, the church and these commemorations are open to all. 'The point is that we seek to learn from the bloodshed of the past and seek to move forwards in peace.' He added: 'Dr Boughton claims that nationally there are more people who don't believe in God than do, and therefore there is no place for religion in our town life. 'I suspect that the majority of Dartmouth residents would disagree with him, whether they be people of faith or not.' It is hoped to hold an exhibition of artefacts, photographs and 'memories' in the parish church in August this year. Writing in his electronic newsletter, Dr Boughton warned there would be 'public protests' if the commemorations marking the 100th anniversary of the Great War were allowed to go ahead in the parish church. He claimed that everyone of any or no faith should be encouraged to participate, saying: 'Many families in Dartmouth were touched by WWI but their descendants are not practising Christians, let alone Anglicans, and this proposed event in St Saviour's Anglican Church must be changed to the Guildhall. 'In addition, history tells us WWI was an avoidable disaster and the state, the church and the military should be the last people to lead a commemoration. 'Misplaced patriotism, sanctimonious prayers, marching brass bands and flag waving are no way to remember the millions of dead men who were deceived or conscripted into the armed forces to fight in a war between the royal families of Europe, and there will be public protests if this goes ahead. 'And quite rightly so.' Fr Hazlewood told the Chronicle: 'As part of our remembrance, we as a church are going to hold a service which remembers the dead and the horrific sacrifices they made, while reminding ourselves of the horror of war and pledging ourselves to strive for peace. 'As far as I am concerned, St Saviour's is the most appropriate venue for these commemorations, as it is the building where the names of those who gave their lives are recorded and remembered. 'It is a building which stands at the heart of the community, and is the largest community space where people can gather to remember the horror of war and what it did to communities like ours. 'It is also a building which those men and their families would have in all probability known well. 'It has welcomed people of faith and no faith down through the centuries and is a haven of peace and quiet in a busy world.' l An appeal has been launched to identify nine forgotten heroes of the First World War. Full story on page 18.