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Today, many of the names on those memorials have become just that. Just names. Names of soldiers, sailors and airmen who died in two World Wars and other conflicts. Many, particularly those who died in World War 2 or later, will have relatives who remember them but, for most killed during the Great War, between 1914 and 1918, memories are second, third or fourth hand. These men have, in many cases, become little more than a collection of surnames which are in danger of becoming as historically lifeless as the stone on which their names are carved. But these were real people. They had family, friends and jobs. They lived in the houses many of us still live in. They went to school where we did. They drank in the same pubs we do. They walked the same streets. After the Great War, the relatives of the dead were sent the appropriate medals, a bronze plaque and a scroll. The scroll reads:- “He whom this scroll commemorates was numbered amongst those who, at the call of King and Country, left all that was dear to them, endured hardness, faced danger and finally passed out of sight of men by the path of duty and self sacrifice, giving their own lives that others might live in freedom. Let those who come after see to it that his name be not forgotten.” This project is intended to ensure that these men, who gave their lives in the service of their country nearly 100 years ago, are not forgotten. More than 2800 names are recorded on the various “official” war memorials maintained by the Council and most of the men (and one woman) have now been identified. For some, this has proved impossible and any information, from members of the public, which would identify them would be most welcome. For others, there are only scant details.
But, for the majority, it is possible to tell their stories. Who were they? Did they have family? How did they earn a living? The one thing that unites them is that they died and, in most cases, it has also been possible to establish something of the circumstances of how that happened. The project is now substantially completed and it is unlikely that there will be any further significant updates to the site. |
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