The rededication of the WW1 memorial stone at the former Wesleyan Chapel, Old Park, Telford. Chairman of the Shropshire War Memorials Association, Clive Blakeway, takes a look at the stone.

Flags were being raised across Shropshire and the country today in honour of former and current servicemen and women.

Hundreds of local authorities are simultaneously flying the flag in anticipation of the first Armed Forces Day in support of those who have dedicated their lives to defending their country.

Events were due to be attended by members of communities who want to show their recognition of the work of the armed forces.

In Wem and Oswestry, small ceremonies were taking place this morning to mark the raising of a flag in the towns.

Wem town councillor John Murray said: “It’s a small ceremony to raise a flag for armed forces day at Wem Town Hall. It’s just to start the week off, and I think it’s quite a nice idea.”

The first Armed Forces Day will be held this Saturday. It is a nationwide drive to honour and respect military personnel who are serving at home and abroad.

The flag-raising came as a memorial honouring a group of Shropshire soldiers who fought and died in World War One was today back in its rightful place.

The stone memorial, found behind The Rock Methodist Church in Telfo- rd, has been returned to the former Wesleyan Chapel, Old Park, Telford, where it was originally erected.

Telford mayor Councillor Karen Blundell and borough council leader Andrew Eade were joined at the former chapel on Saturday by a bugler from the Royal British Legion for a rededication service.

It was originally housed inside the building, but the chapel is now a private hou- se, so the memorial has been erected on a wall outside.

The tablet commemorates 13 men who were members of the congregation at the chapel at the turn of the last century and who went to France to fight in World War One, but never returned.

The men were all members of The King’s Shropshire Light Infantry, except for one Grenadier Guardsman and a private from the Gloucestershire Regiment.

Shropshire War Memorials Association chairman Clive Blakeway said police told the group the memorial had been found on a wall around the back of the Rock Methodist Church.

“It appeared to have been taken there and left, but it actually belongs to the chapel in Old Park where the men remembered on it were worshippers,” he said.

“We have had it cleaned up and restored and now it is back in its rightful place.”

By Simon Hardy