Database of county’s war tributes set to mark WWI anniversary (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Database of county’s war tributes set to mark WWI anniversary

ONE man has been tasked with finding all of Wiltshire’s hidden war memorials for documentation in a catalogue.

John Rees at Seend war memorial, Holy Cross churchyard

John Rees, memorials officer at Wiltshire Council, is creating an audit of the county’s war memorials, including lesser-known ones in schools, community hospitals, offices and businesses.

Local history enthusiasts, church leaders and parish clerks are among those being invited by Mr Rees to share information they have about war memorials.

Mr Rees, 50, said: “War memorials come in all shapes and sizes. They are not just your traditional town memorial, there are others in the most unlikely places, like above office doors.

“They are not always about remembering the military either, there are others for civilians and animals that lost their lives.

“With the 100 years anniversary of the start of the First World War in 2014, there has never been a more important time to make sure we know where all our memorials are and to make sure they are preserved for years to come.”

A good example of a restored memorial is the cenotaph at Pound Pill in Corsham which had all of its names painstakingly repainted by local craftswoman Celia James last year.

It is estimated there are thousands of memorials in Wiltshire, with many having become lost when renovation work is carried out.

Mr Rees is appealing for any local parish guides, photos or information that people may have to be sent to him so that they can form part of the online database which will appear on the Wiltshire Council website.

He said: “The project will be ongoing but we would hope to have something fairly comprehensive in time for the First World War anniversary.”

To contact Mr Rees, call (01225) 776655, ext 13856, or e-mail john.rees@wiltshire.gov.uk