War heroes to get freedom of Nelson (From Lancashire Telegraph)

War heroes to get freedom of Nelson

10:37am Thursday 15th November 2012 in News By Tyrone Marshall, Reporter

NELSON veterans who fought in the Second World War are to be given the freedom of the town.

The town council is tracking down all the veterans who live in the area to bestow the honour on them.

The project coincides with the 90th anniversary of Nelson’s Royal British Legion branch being created.

Town councillor Eileen Ansar said: “We are losing generations now and getting to the stage where the younger generation don’t understand what happened and what it was all about.

“It is important to remember what they did and what they gave to ensure we could live as we do now.

“It seemed like an important time to do this, especially with the legion’s 90th anniversary this year, and it is a great way to honour the veterans from Nelson to whom we owe so much.”

A similar scheme this year saw 23 ex-servicemen aged between 86 and 94 given the Freedom of Earby. So far, ten veterans have been located in Nelson.

Coun Ansar said: “At the moment it is a case of tracking them down. I would expect there to be many more out there which we need to find or hear from.

“We want to hear from Nelsoners, and those from Barrowford under a Nelson postcode, and we don’t want to miss anyone out.

“It will be a great day. We will be putting on a lunch for the veterans and giving them the freedom of the town at the same time.”

Any veterans from the First or Second World War who have not yet been contacted by the town council can get in touch with the clerk, Martin Harrison, by calling 07735 350735 or e-mailing martin. harrison1@btconnect.com.