REGARDING your article (LET, May 12) about the campaign by the Normandy Veterans Association 95th (Barnet) branch to create a memorial for 16-year-old Darwen soldier Jack Banks who was killed in the Second World War, it is very commendable to want to pay respect and honour to those who sacrificed their lives so that we could live in a democratic country.

But to ask that a memorial for one specific individual to be erected would, in my opinion be more disrespectful to the others who have their lives so that we could have freedom from oppression.

At least 1,300 brave men and women from Darwen were killed in World War One and some 130 died in World War Two, while 35 were also reported missing, presumed killed in action. In addition in the First World War 236 people of this town were taken as prisoners of war.

Mr Banks was obviously a very heroic man, but at the age of 16 would not have had to give his life in defence of his country and principles.

But there were a lot of other people who did the same, lying about their age and even their names to be able to serve their country in these awful times and they also should be remembered.

A memorial was erected in Bold Venture Park in 1921 in honour of the dead of the First World War and, it was later amended to include those of the Second World War, but no names are upon it.

I would, therefore, suggest that all the citizens of this town have their names engraved upon slabs of stone which could then be placed around this memorial, possibly in a horseshoe shape, so as to complement the memorial's siting, thus enabling relatives of the deceased to know that their ancestors were acknowledged and respected by all of us.

To this aim, I am happy to provide a list of all those that I have discovered and for any descendants to inquire for any further information I may know.

A C McINTYRE, 27 Radfield Road, Darwen.