Cirencester Rememberance Day project aims to shed light on town's war memorials (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Cirencester Rememberance Day project aims to shed light on town's war memorials

3:00pm Wednesday 7th November 2012 in News By Liz Day

MEMBERS of a Cirencester history society are appealing for help with a Remembrance Day project, which aims to shed new light on the town’s war memorials.

Volunteers from Cirencester Archaeological and Historical Society will be adding a new page to their website to allow members of the public to share information about relatives from the town who fought in World War One and World War Two. 

The memorials at Cirencester Parish Church and Cirencester Hospital each list about 200 names and society chair Peter Watkins hopes the contributions will build up a picture of wartime Cirencester.

Peter said the memorials formed an important part of the town’s heritage. “We hope to piece together the stories behind the names and learn more about the soldiers who gave their lives,” he said.

Peter added the Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard played an important role in uncovering the soldiers’ stories.

“Many of the letters that were sent back home to families from the front line to explain the circumstances of a soldier’s death were published in the paper and can now be accessed on microfiche,” he said.

Peter added he hoped the contributions would form part of an exhibition commemorating the centenary of World War One in 2014. For more information, visit the society’s website www.cirenhistory.org.uk.