A family are begging Medway Council to let their war hero dad rest in peace after being handed an ultimatum to change his grave.

Royal Marine Captain Bill Hoadley died in 1998, aged 76, after devoting his life to the service of his country.

He saw action during the Second World War in Burma, Italy, India and on the North Atlantic convoys.

He later became the commanding officer of the Royal Marine Cadet Unit in Chatham and chairman of the Chatham branch of the Royal Marine Association.

When he was laid to rest at Strood Cemetery, his family decided to build a grave worthy of his service, and it has remained largely unchanged for a decade.

But when his daughter Glyn McGrath and son-in-law Colin from Chattenden, went to visit the grave last week they found a notice from Medway Council telling them it did not comply with regulations. They have been given 28 days to make alterations.

Mr McGrath was astonished by the notice. He said: “He dedicated his life to helping our country and now we’re having trouble with his grave. All we want is for him to rest in peace.

~ Audio: Colin McGrath describes his feelings to kmfm >>>

“Why can’t they just leave him alone? I just don’t understand what’s wrong with it.”

But Medway Council bereavement and registration services manager Paul Edwards said: “We have recently placed notices on graves that have memorials without permits.

"These notices are placed on the graves when they are identified as not complying with cemetery regulations.

“We do try to take a considered approach when fixing notices and removing unauthorised memorials.

“The cemetery regulations have been in force for many years and have always restricted what can be placed on any grave.”