A RALLYING call has gone out to help fund the inclusion of 24 missing names on the Studley War Memorial in time for the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War.
The omissions came to light after research by historian Arthur Cook into local people who died in the Great War.
When these were matched against the names on the Cenotaph on Alcester Road, is was discovered many were missing.
Now the race is on to raise £4,700 so two stones can be added either side of the cross before November 11, 2018.
Philip Hunt, secretary of the Studley branch of the Royal British Legion, said: “It’s a mystery how these names were missed off, just as it’s a mystery why their relatives didn’t come forward when the war memorial was unveiled.
“However these were Studley people and it would be good to get their names in place before the centenary of the ending of the war.”
Philip has written to the War Memorial Trust to see if it can help with the funding, but even if it can contribute, the maximum amount would be 50 per cent of the cost.
In light of this the Royal British Legion is appealing for local residents, businesses and organisations to help raise the funds required.
“If people can come forward to help we would be very grateful and we’d look to put up a plaque acknowledging their contribution in helping us,” added Mr Hunt.
The fallen not included on the war memorial are Pte F Ainge, Sgt P Baylis, Pte W Bennett, Sapper EH Blundell, Pte H Chamberlain, Pte JW Chambers, Pte F Chester, Sgt AJ Clayton, Pioneer H Cooper, Sgt CF Cottrill, Pte HT Daffin, Pte WE Fielding, Rifleman AA Gibbs, 2nd Lieut TH Gosling, Pte WW Harris, Pte FH Johnson, Pte WS King, Pte JH Moore, Pte J Newman, Pte J Parker, Pte GE Pettifer Pte F Pinfold, Pte W Simmonds, Pte WH Smith.
Anyone who would like to contribute can contact Philip Hunt via email at [email protected] or by calling 07764142762.
