10-year mission to honour soldiers who gave their lives realised

A 10-year mission to honour those who have given their lives fighting for their country has finally been realised by Cullompton resident David Godfrey, after adding the final touches this week to the memorial garden he masterminded.

A woodfuel arrived today at the memorial gardens – next to the Hayridge Centre in Cullompton – to deliver three tonnes of woodchip, which is the last detail before the garden has its official launch next week.

The woodchip was donated and delivered free-of-charge by local woodfuel distributor Forest Fuels, which has its HQ in Okehampton.

“This is the culmination of many years of fundraising and hard work,” said David Godfrey, who set up the charity Operation Braveheart after his grandson Daniel Coffey was fatally wounded in Iraq in 2007.

“Daniel is the driving force that kept me going for all these years.  It’s wonderful to finally see the memorial garden finished, providing a place where visitors can stop for a moment, reflect, and remember those who lost their lives serving their country.  This garden is for the families of every single service man and woman.

“I’m grateful to everyone who has helped with this project, from those who raised money, to others who have got their hands dirty and built the actual gardens. The woodchip we had delivered today really is the finishing touch, giving a uniform look across the gardens, keeping the soil fertile, and ensuring that maintenance is kept to a minimum. I’d like to thank Forest Fuels for their generosity and for arranging delivery the week before our official launch.”

David’s grandson Daniel, of the Second Battalion The Rifles, was protecting fellow soldiers from an ambush by gunmen in Basra when he lost his life.  He was buried with full military honours in Cullompton.

Soon after this David started the charity Operation Braveheart to raise money for injured service personnel and their families, with the additional aim of providing a memorial garden in Daniel’s home town. The main garden site – which was built predominantly by the Commando Engineering regiment from Chivenor in North Devon – is in the central area of the car park next to the Hayridge Library and Learning Centre.

Peter Solly, Managing Director of Forest Fuels, said: “David has worked tirelessly, setting up Operation Braveheart and masterminding the memorial garden.  We’re pleased that Forest Fuels can help in some way. We hope that our donation will reduce the amount of maintenance needed on the gardens, helping visitors to enjoy the surrounding area, while remembering those who died serving their country.”

The official launch of the memorial garden takes place on Saturday 24 June at 4pm, with a memorial service at 1730 and food and refreshments afterwards at The Manor Hotel, Cullompton.