THE Royal Mail has been accused of being "disrespectful" to the memory of 18 Lochaber postal workers who died fighting for their country.
It has been claimed that contrary to the communication company's promise, an ornate memorial to the General Post Office (GPO) staff killed in action during the first and second world wars is being "hidden" from the public's view.
The memorial, engraved with the names of 15 Fort William and District GPO men who died during the Great War and of three men killed during the Second World War, was moved to the Fort William Royal Mail sorting office from the post office at 5 High Street when PO services switched to nearby retailer WH Smith in spring 2008.
The memorial had been on public display in the post office since its opening in 1979 and prior to this it had been on view behind the counter in the town's original post office at 88 High Street (now a Blockbuster store).
Indeed, to coincide with the 1979 move, the memorial was restored and its unveiling - which included the observing of a minute's silence - was a focal point of the opening ceremony for the new post office.
When Royal Mail took the memorial to the sorting office two years ago, it was agreed it would be put on public display in the callers' office.
But a source close to the sorting office told the Lochaber News : "Instead, it has been put on a wall in a tearoom-cum-storeroom where it is obscured by lockers and mail bags.
"This is meant to be for the public's benefit, but the public can't get access to that room.
"It seems disrespectful to the memory of the men and to the relatives, some of the latter still living locally, that this memorial is not on view to the general public. Is it a case of out of sight out of mind? "If Royal Mail don't have the space - or inclination - to display the memorial more appropriately, then maybe they could gift it to the West Highland Museum or the library, or even the Duncansburgh Mackintosh Church." A Royal Mail spokesman said: "It is categorically not the case that the Fort William General Post Office war memorial was placed in a storeroom.
"Royal Mail treats all such war memorials with the due care and respect." He explained: "It was judged appropriate to retain the memorial on Royal Mail property because it commemorates the sacrifice of General Post Office staff.
"The preferred option was to site the memorial in the inquiry office where it would be on public view, but this proved impossible because of lack of space.
"Instead, the memorial was placed in a secure position in the delivery office staff room where it has been on display to Royal Mail staff.
"In recent months significant building work at the delivery office has meant lockers had to be temporarily moved into the staff room and these have obscured the memorial. This is a temporary situation which was unavoidable." The spokesman added: "Royal Mail's preference where possible is to retain war memorials on our own premises, but we would be happy to consider relocating the memorial to a local museum if that is appropriate."
