New memorial tree planted at Ludlow Castle to remember Great War soldiers

The original was planted in 1919 to mark the Armistice by the town's then-mayor Alderman Edward Sheldon, as a lasting tribute to the town’s soldiers who sacrificed their lives.

But the tree did not survive being moved, and for many years all that remained was a weathered plaque on the castle wall next to where it once stood.

Up to 40 people attended the ceremony to see his eldest direct descendant his great-grandson Paul Sheldon, 62, plant a hawthorn sapling at yesterday's ceremony held in the Castle Gardens assisted by his distant cousin Donald Sheldon.

It was also attended by several other surviving members of the extended family.

Mr Sheldon, whose late father William was Alderman Sheldon's grandson, said: "It's gone very well. There were quite a few people whom I haven't seen for many years so it's been quite lovely.

"Considering that my great-grandfather planted the first tree all those decades ago, it's an honour to replant it. Unfortunately the first tree died and there is a plaque in the castle wall, but its a bit weathered now after 100 years.

"There is a lot of people here for the ceremony, although no where near as many as when the original tree was planted as the old picture shows.

"I just hope that the new tree lives a long time. My own dad thought the old one was a black cherry tree, but I think it was actually an oak.

"The fact that I've planted the hawthorn gives me double pleasure, as I'm a West Bromwich Albion supporter and they play at the Hawthorns."

The youngest descendant is Mr Sheldon's niece Jessica, 15.

His cousin Donald Sheldon, 90 and a retired Metropolitan Police officer, added: "Edward Sheldon was my great uncle. I never knew him, but my mother always told me a tale about him.

"Apparently when he was elected Mayor of Ludlow for the third time he gave all the children at the school a penny and an orange to celebrate his achievement.

"Its a pleasure to be here today. I wouldn't have missed it for the world. When I retired I returned to live in Ludlow. It's been a good event with about 30 or 40 people in attendance.

"My mother Beatrice Emily Sheldon was married to Hector Sheldon and Edward was one of Hector's uncles. Today's is a bit of a family reunion as its the first time in years that I've seen some members of the family."

The sapling is from Ludlow's twin town of La Ferté-Macé which is located in Normandy, France, near the site of the Second World War D-Day landings of June 6, 1944.