Residents will soon be able to view the town’s historic war memorials as efforts to return them public display have taken a major step forward.

Councillor Steve Broomfield has confirmed that two of the town’s treasured ships’ plaques, which had been in storage since the closure of Eastleigh Museum, have now been collected and delivered to Eastleigh House.

The plaques, which commemorate local servicemen who served and died at sea, were among several memorials placed in the care of Hampshire Cultural Trust following the museum’s closure.

Cllr Broomfield said he was “delighted” to confirm progress and shared that the memorials will soon be on view once again for the public to visit and pay their respects.

READ MORE: Plans to return Eastleigh’s lost war memorials unveiled

He said: “Following my post last week about the war memorials in storage after the closure of Eastleigh Museum, some good news.

“On Friday I collected the two ships’ plaques from the Hampshire Cultural Trust store and this afternoon I delivered them to Eastleigh House where they will be displayed.”

He added that he had also been shown another important memorial, originally from Coulstons, which had also been removed from the museum’s collection.

Plans are now in place to reunite this with the three railway works memorials — ensuring all four pieces of Eastleigh’s wartime heritage can once again be viewed locally.

The councillor added: “These memorials are a vital part of our town’s history and it’s only right they are made accessible to everyone.”

The return of the plaques follows growing calls from residents, veterans and local historians for the memorials to be brought back into public view. Many feared the items would remain in long-term storage after the museum’s closure in 2023.

The council has not yet confirmed the exact date of the final public display, but preparations are now under way to ensure the memorials are properly preserved and respectfully presented.

This latest development marks the first time in more than a year that Eastleigh’s wartime tributes will once again be visible to the community.