AFTER endless negotiations, tireless fundraising and one almighty donation, Brentwood can finally rest easy knowing its new war memorial has been truly honoured.
The stone plaque on Middleton Hall Lane, commemorated by Sunday's Royal British Legion parade, simply reads: "Remember with pride and gratitude all those fallen in the service of the Crown in war and conflicts since 1946."
Now campaigners, relieved after two years' organisation and fundraising, are calling on other parishes, towns and cities to follow suit and design a plaque which remembers those who have died since the end of the Second World War.
Brentwood and Ongar MP Eric Pickles, the local government secretary, said: "Today was terrifically important.
"What you've just seen in Brentwood is something you will now see all over the country, with towns putting up remembrance plaques for those who have fallen since World War Two.
"This I think, and certainly in Essex, is the first to remember those who have died in battle past 1946.
"There are people in their 80s and 90s who have lost friends and family.
"It's so important for their sake we remember those who have fallen."
The new mayor of Brentwood, Councillor Madeline Henwood, said she had known soldiers who have fallen in battle since 1946 and now hopes to install a similar plaque in her ward of Tipps Cross.
"This memorial was so needed because for those who have lost someone since 1946 – they need somewhere to come," she said.
"I will now suggest one for Blackmore, if there is a need for it."
Brentwood's new memorial was conceived by the Royal British Legion Brentwood branch in May 2011.
After committee member Syd Bryer submitted the design, a fundraising appeal was flagged up in the Gazette, with Co-operative Funeralcare quickly responding.
Yet a local businessman, who remains anonymous to all but a few to this day, donated the necessary £2,000.
Brentwood's Royal British Legion secretary Eunice Woolmore has however had difficulty funding the stage used on the King George's playing fields.
"The council wanted £200 for the stage but we just don't have the money – our money goes towards the Armed Forces," she said.
"They have since withdrawn it and we were told it was just crossed wires.
"I know they have to be paid but I think that was a bit over the top."
Speaking after the parade, Ms Woolmore, 72, was evidently delighted at seeing her plans, as organiser, come together.
"Today was so important and it was long overdue," she said.
"We have to remember them – they gave a lot.
"My husband lost his father to battle – we mustn't forget, we mustn't."
She added: "We've spent two years raising money and we can't thank Brentwood School, for the fields, the Co-operative – who are here today with their hog roast – and the donor enough."
Joan Holmes, 62, who was responsible as then-mayor for bringing the memorial to life with the Royal British Legion, said she was "really pleased".
"It means a lot to me because my father was a submariner in Korea," said the Tower Hill resident.
"The stumbling block in all this was the appeal.
"It has been such a long time in coming and we thought we would never get it – it was so frustrating."
Nearly 300 trumpeting, drumming, whistling and stomping Royal British Legion, Combined Cadet Forces, Air Training Corps, Sea Cadets, Royal Engineers and Royal Navy members surrounded the war memorial as the reverend gave his service.
Reverend Colin Hewitt, of St Thomas of Canterbury Church, who gave thanks to those who made the memorial possible in prayer, said he hoped we would not have any further need to remember the dead.
"But for the people still being killed in Afghanistan, it's good to know they can be remembered," he said.
