An entry on Haslemere’s war memorial has been corrected after it was brought to the attention of the town council.
The entry for Lieutenant James Howard Stables – who was known as Howard – mistakenly said he fell at Anna-I-Yat when he had actually fallen at Sanna-I-Yat after a battle against Turkish soldiers.
The town council was contacted by Howard’s great nephew – also called Howard Stables – who pointed out the spelling mistake on the memorial.
The mistake has now been corrected, much to the delight of Howard.
He said: “Having retired I have had more time and taken a greater interest in gaining a better understanding of my family tree.
“For many years my late father and mother encouraged me to visit the war memorial in Haslemere.
“When I visited, I noticed the mistake on Howard’s entry on the memorial, so I contacted the town council and offered to pay to have it corrected – but the council did it themselves.
“Strangely, there was also a spelling mistake on my grandmother’s grave in Suffolk, and I was visiting her grave when I was told Howard’s entry in Haslemere had been corrected.
“It was a rather fitting coincidence that should happen at the same time, and I’m most grateful to the town council.”
Town clerk Lisa O’Sullivan said: “The town council was delighted to have the omission corrected.”