The naming of a new town square will be decided by public vote following objections to naming it in honour of a canadian First World War pilot.

Harry Jassby left his home country to serve in the RAF in 1917 and was stationed in Hainault.
He died five days before the end of the war aged 22 when his plane was involved in a mid-air collision. 

But concerns were raised about the choice of name for the area in High Street, Barkingside, with claims the pilot was not widely known.

Speaking at a meeting of Redbridge Council's cabinet last night, John Sharrock, chairman of the Barkingside 21 group, said calling the square after the Canadian pilot was inappropriate.

He said: “I am not disputing the heroic status of Harry Jassby and his remarkable story, but I don’t think the square should be named after him.

“He is unknown to most people and a great many others died from the area in the Great War, so I don’t understand why he would be chosen over everyone else.

“Naming it Memorial Square, or even something much simpler like Barkingside Town Square would be much more appropriate.”

Cabinet member for planning and regeneration, Helen Coomb, said the public would decide on the name.

She added: “We have listened to the concerns of the public about the name and have agreed to put it to a public vote.

“The regeneration is a marvellous thing for Barkingside so it is important people are happy with the name, so we will be holding a vote online and at Fullwell Cross Library.”