Halesworth War Memorial is a Grade Two Listed structure and is owned and maintained by the Town Council. Is is located at the steps to St Mary's Church, off the Thoroughfare, in the memorial gardens which are owned by East Suffolk Council. The original memorial was first commissioned in 1921 and the Second World War names were added in 1946.

Research has been conducted by residents that may have discovered a name missing from the War Memorial in Halesworth.

The serviceman believed to be missing from the World War II commemoration is Leading Aircraftman Henry Caren. Henry Caren died of his injuries sustained in a traffic accident on the 10^th May 1941 and died in Birmingham General hospital. His service record notes he 'died of injuries received on active service'. LAC Caren was part of the 913 Balloon Sqd and is buried in a Commonwealth War Grave in Halesworth cemetery. It's believed his family were originally from the Isle of Man. No record exists (that we are aware of) that gives the reasons why Henry was not included on the original memorial. Consultation with the War Memorials trust lists several possible reasons why this may have happened. The circumstantial evidence in Henry's case is that he had no family left locally to ensure he was included on the memorial when it was recommissioned for Second World War deaths. His father, who was the current Rector of Halesworth died in 1940 the year before Henry did. This meant his mother would have moved out of the Rectory. Henry may have been buried in Halesworth but it's possible his mother returned to family in Lancashire shortly after this where she died in 1948. A search of the Imperial War Museum database shows no record of an HV Caren on any other memorial.

The addition to the memorial will be generously funded by a private individual. The Town Council will apply for the listed building consent required by East Suffolk District Council.

The Town Council are grateful to Halesworth and District Museum for providing the background information on Henry Caren.

If anyone has any more information on LAC Henry Caren, then the Council would very much like to hear from you. Please contact us by telephone 01986874517, email enquiries@halesworthtowncouncil.gov.uk