Subject

The text actually reads "Men, women and children of the borough who lost their lives in the Great War 1914-1918 and World War II 1939-1945 and thereafter on active service". We find this form of words baffling.  Possibly "on active service" applies only to the period since WW2, on the basis that no one from Bethnal Green has died in war other than on active service since then, but then why is it necessary to exclude this zero group? If "on active service" also applies to WW1 and WW2 then the dedication excludes all those killed at home, such as in the Blitz. Fair enough, but in that case why mention children?  Are we missing something? We wouldn't normally criticise writing in these terms but when something is going to be inscribed on a plaque we do feel that it should be thought through.