For years now, Susan and Gordon Pepperell have kept a watchful eye on the cenotaph.

Like many, they cleared leaves or debris and made sure the gate was closed.

They bought the wire to attach the poppies so that they did not blow away in the wind. They cleared the poppies a month before the 11th day of 11th month ready for each year’s remembrance.

Wired to the cenotaph, the poppies were still bright red until they disappeared last Friday. In the past, they held their places for D-Day and for each battle remembered, covering all anniversaries.

Gordon Pepperell has three forebears remembered on the cenotaph. Both he and Susan were born in Dartmouth and can trace back to grand parents who lived in Dartmouth.

The couple started wiring the tributes to the cenotaph some years ago. String was used initially, but this year wire.

Susan said, “it looked disrespectful the way they were blown away. We liked to keep them in place, not just for D-Day but for as many anniversaries as possible.

“I don’t understand why someone would remove them.

“We have no gardeners now but South Hams employs some. We’ve called the lady at the council who we were told ordered their removal but got no response.”

However, later a spokesman for South Hams council confirmed that the removal was done at the request of Dartmouth Town Council who themselves had consulted the British Legion.

This is in accord with the guidance given by the British Legion: ‘The local authority (city, borough, town, village or parish) is responsible for Remembrance services and parades. The Royal British Legion is asked to help with the organisation and provides the wreaths, but does not have permission to authorise their removal from war memorials.

‘There is no guidance as to how long wreaths should remain at memorials. In some places they are removed after weeks, in others after months.

‘In most places, the local Legion branch and local authorities agree on a suitable time to take them away.’

A review of emails between Dartmouth Town Council, South Hams and the local British Legion, reveal that is exactly what happened before the removal of the poppies.

Susan Pepperell, on receiving this explanation said, “I will need to talk to my husband about this. The poppies when on the cenotaph serve not only to remind people of the fallen but also they put off people having a picnic on the steps.

“This happens at the Music Festival for instance. When I saw it, I couldn’t help thinking of how those alive who had lost loved ones in Afghanistan would feel”