FALLEN soldiers from a Chester barracks are set to be immortalised in a special monument.
Businesses from Chester and North Wales have donated their time to help soldiers from the Assault Pioneer platoon of the 1st Battalion The Royal Welsh (Royal Welch Fusiliers) to place a memorial to those who have fallen in battle while being based at The Dale Barracks, Chester.
The striking piece of Welsh slate will stand as a year-round site of remembrance which may be visited by soldiers serving at The Dale now and in the future, their families and the public.
Sited at the entrance to the barracks, the memorial will be a lasting tribute commemorating those who have been killed on duty or as a result of terrorism.
The memorial slate idea was conceived after the loss of Fusilier Jonathan Burgess, 20, whilst the battalion was deployed as part of the 11 Light Brigade in Afghanistan.
Father-of-one Fusilier Burgess, of 1st Battalion The Royal Welsh, died in the Nad Ali area of Helmand on Wednesday, April 7.
He was shot during a fire fight while on patrol with colleagues near Showal aimed at disrupting insurgents.
Like many Chester-based soldiers who lost their lives in battle, Fusilier Burgess’ name will be inscribed on plaques donated by Welsh Slate.
The huge piece of Welsh slate was bought following a number of generous donations from the North Wales and Cheshire Masons.
Autolift Recovery of Liverpool Road, Chester, aided in the mammoth task of moving the huge piece of Welsh slate into place.
Building materials used to landscape the site were donated by Carillion, Richard Williams (Deganwy) Ltd in Llandudno Junction, and Chester B&Q. Slate for the patio and wall was also donated by Carillion who will also be planting flowers and shrubs to create a welcoming and peaceful place of remembrance.
M J Quinn Ltd has also donated two benches which will be placed in front of the memorial once it is complete.
Sergeant Gary Williams, 33, from Assault Pioneer platoon of the 1st Battalion The Royal Welsh, said the memorial was an important legacy to his fallen comrades.
Sgt William added: “We owe a huge thank you to everyone who helped, whether it was through the loan of equipment or the donation of their time. Once the site has been finished and the battalion returns from summer leave, we will organise a ceremony to mark the opening of the site.”