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Video: New tree honours brave Horsforth sailor
Horsforth's Colin Ashby devoted eight years of his life to ensuring the memory of his war-hero uncle is rooted in the town forever.
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Colin vowed to replace a tree that was planted in honour of Kenneth Ashby, a teenager who made the ultimate sacrifice in the Second World War.
Seven decades ago, Kenneth, 17, was among the 833 victims when HMS Royal Oak was torpedoed in Scapa Flow.
A tribute tree was planted by Horsforth Urban District Council, which put roots into the soil in memory of every one of the community's war dead.
But, eight years ago, Kenneth's tree was blown down by high winds.
Determined to see his relative's memorial returned to the earth, Colin lobbied local politicians, until, last month, came the call he had been waiting for.
He said: "Leeds City Council said they had permission but needed funding, and the town council agreed to pay for it. After all this time it is a real relief, and it is also a really proud moment for all the family."
Colin, a grandfather-of-three, said he remembers seeing Kenneth's tree chopped up for firewood.
He recalled: "I asked the people taking the wood to think of Kenneth when they burned it. This has all been about memories and remembering people, because when someone has given their life like that it should never be forgotten.
"The tree is a lovely feature, and it is right for Kenneth. He had ginger hair, and this is a type of rowan tree with red berries and leaves."
The planting ceremony was an emotional, family event, with Colin's son making the 450-mile round trip from Newport, south Wales, for the occasion.
Lending a hand were Colin's grandsons, Tom, Benji and Harry Atkinson.
Harry, six, has his own very personal tribute to his ancestor, as his middle name is Ashby.
Mum Fay said: "All the boys have a special name and we wanted to keep the Ashby name going."
Just yards from the tribute tree stands Horsforth War Memorial, where the name 'K.Ashby' is etched among the many.
Tom said: "We came down to the memorial on a school project. It was really cool to point to that name and say that he was my great grandad's brother."
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Weather for Leeds
Tuesday 22 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: North east
