A relative of a soldier killed at Ypres in WWI has called on a church to put a roll of honour on display before the centenary of the outbreak of the war.

Local historian Clive Gilbert has called on St Barnabas, in Temple Road, Epsom, to bring back two ornamental scrolls listing war dead, which are currently stored at the Surrey History Centre.

Walter Maynard, 66, a relative of Sergeant William Maynard named on one of the scrolls, has now written to the church asking why the roll of honour was removed.

In his email Mr Maynard, from Banstead, said: "There is therefore no trace of his bravery and dedication to his country at this church.

"I am very disappointed in this action and would like to know why this has happened, and by whom, as I believe it should now be reinstated in its original place.

"My stepmother (Mrs Dorothy Maynard) who is still alive and my father were married at this church and he would be very upset that you have chosen to dishonour our family name. "Please advise me what you are going to do about it."

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Photograph of Sergeant Maynard at the Ashley Road War Memorial

Sergeant Maynard, from the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, was killed during heavy fighting near Ypres, Belgium, in 1914 at the age of 35.

Mr Maynard, from Banstead, is his second cousin, three times removed.

Reverend Rev Michael Preston, vicar of St Barnabas, has said they do not think the scrolls were ever displayed and they are in poor condition.

He said it is not clear what connection the war dead had to St Barnabas and their names are already on other memorials.

But Mr Gilbert said it was irrelevant that names are memorialised elsewhere and the rolls had been framed once and must have been displayed at some point. 

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