PUPILS from Sir William Romney’s School in Tetbury are offering to help remember men killed in the First World War who were from the area.

As part of a battlefields trip to France and Belgium this summer, Year 9 pupils will be asked to commemorate a soldier by finding out information about them and placing a remembrance cross at their grave or a monument.

Youngsters will visit Thiepval, the Menin Gate,Tyne Cot and several other cemeteries and monuments through the visit which is taking place between July 2 and 5.

The scheme was prompted by Tetbury Town Council after they contacted the school and asked them to join in with the town's 100 years since of the start of the First World War commemorations this year.

Steven Mackay, headteacher of the school, said: “It would be helpful if the person could be given some extra information about the fallen soldier because it would mean the children can personally understand more about the war. The trip will help people in the community who do not have the opportunity to visit the graves of the relatives.

“Once the children have the information on the soldiers they will contact the War Graves Commission who will be able to tell them the exact spot where the soldier is buried or at which memorial their name is engraved.”

Children will visit the Somme as part of the trip, which was was the location of one of the largest battles of the First World War and saw more than 1,000,000 men wounded or killed. It is now a mass graveyard and war memorial.

After the visit a commemorative board produced by the children will display information on the fallen soldiers as well as pictures of their graves.

People who live in the Tetbury area such as Avening, Tetbury Upton and Nailsworth are invited to take part in the scheme.

Those that have a relative who lost their life and know the location of their grave, or where their name is recorded on a moment around Ypres or the Somme are asked to contact admin@swr.gloucs.sch.uk.