THE GREAT grandson of a soldier killed during the First World War has backed a campaign to save the crumbling memorial which bears his name.

Charles Edward Beardwell was 32 when he died in northern France shortly before the start of the Battle of the Somme in 1916.

The father-of-three's name was immortalised in stone alongside those of 56 other men on a war memorial at St Barnabas Church, Woodford Green - close to the house in Globe Road where he was born.

But the future of the eyecatching plinth in Snakes Lane East, was thrown into doubt last year when campaigners launched a desperate campaign to raise cash for the urgent repairs needed to save it from collapse.

Richard Beardwell, great grandson of Charles, praised the efforts of the those involved after they reached agreement with the Essex Branch of the Western Front Association (WFA) and the War Memorials Trust (WMT) for around half of the £8,000 cost - with Redbridge Council promising to foot the rest of the bill.

He said: "We're delighted that they have saved the war memorial.

"£8,000 is a small amount of money when you think of the sacrifice these people made for us.

"My great grandfather was born in Woodford Green and he, and the rest of those named on the memorial deserve to be properly remembered."

The father-of-five, 43, said relatives of his great grandfather - who served in the Essex Regiment - still live nearby.

He said: "He was a labourer before joining the army, and had strong connections with the Snakes Lane area.

"He had three sons, my grandfather Charles, Arthur and George with his wife Ethel.

"I live in Watford, but my aunt Joyce still lives in Woodford Green and I know she also supports the campaign.

"I'm planning to make a donation towards this. It is important that memorials like this are protected.

"The people involved (in saving the memorial) did brilliantly."

Councillors are due to discuss funding for the renovation at a meeting of Area Two committee tonight at Sir James Hawkey Hall, Broomhill Road, Woodford Green at 7.15pm.