A COMMEMORATIVE plaque celebrating the life of a heroic Johnstone soldier who died in battle is to be given a new home in the town. Private William Carlile, of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, died during World War I while saving the life of another Johnstone squaddie.

Carlile died in Festubert, France, in June 1915 while saving the life of fellow Johnstone soldier Private John GIllin.

A memorial to Carlile was situated in the town's Ludovic Square but it disappeared - sparking fears it had been stolen or removed and stored away, never to be seen again.

Royal Air Force veteran John Butler told The Gazette: "Whilst I was enjoying a walk in the sunshine in Ludovic Square in Johnstone I noticed to my dismay and regret that a small landmark had been removed.

"This small landmark is visited by many a person to reflect what comradeship is all about.

"It is also somewhere popular on Remembrance Sunday where, myself and other members of the armed forces place our own poppies before going on to attend the service in Johnstone Square.

"In these days when we tend to spend money to install commemorative statues, like The Bomber Command Memorial in London (paid for by ex RAF members, myself included, and other donations from the general public), why has someone unknown removed what has been in Johnstone for as many years as I care to remember?" But, following an investigation, The Gazette can reveal that the plaque was removed because the council are in the process of giving Johnstone town centre a �14.5million facelift.

Councillor Eddie Devine, convener of Renfrewshire Council's Environment Policy Board, said: "Renfrewshire has a proud military tradition in terms of the service and sacrifice of military personnel from the area and in the way the community continues to honour that service.

"In June, the War Memorial in Renfrew had a service of rededication and a permanent inscription was installed to honour Lance Corporal James Murdoch of Renfrew who was killed during the Falklands War.

"The Carlile plaque has to be temporarily removed during some of the site works for the new Johnstone Town Hall which will give a major boost to the town centre.

"We are keeping the plaque safe and will look for a more appropriate setting where it can be relocated.

"No location has been decided on and we will consult with military representatives, including from the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders."