A MEMORIAL to chocolate factory workers from York who lost their lives in the First and Second World Wars was unveiled by a veteran of the 1939-1945 conflict.

The new stone memorial at the Nestlé factory in Haxby Road replaced a collection of older rolls of honour and two large carved wooden memorials which had been on display in various areas of the factory since the war.

The special rededication ceremony yesterday was attended by about two dozen people, including members of the Royal British Legion, Nestlé staff, and veterans including 91-year-old Ted Griffiths.

Mr Griffiths, president of the York branch of the Royal British Leagion, was recently announced as The Press Community Pride Person Of The Year.

He served in North Africa during the Second World War and has organised York’s Festival Of Remembrance for the last 20 years.

After laying a wreath of poppies at the base of the memorial, Mr Griffiths recited a line from a verse commemorating the fallen: “When you go home tell them of us and say, for your tomorrow we gave our today.”

James Maxton, Nestlé spokesman, said the new location of the memorials would ensure the public could pay their respects.

He said: “Between the two wars, 412 York Rowntree's employees were killed in service. We decided to make replicas of the two main memorials and give them a permanent home at the front of our York site so that members of the public can visit them whenever they wish.

“The original memorials will be preserved in our onsite archive facility.” The ceremony was also attended by Denise Edgar, who organises York’s Poppy Appeal and is a member of the Royal British Legion board of trustees.

The name of her uncle, Arthur Fletcher, appears on the new memorial.

Mrs Edgar’s mother laid a wreath of poppies at the base of the memorial to honour her brother, who was killed during the Second World War.