Shropshire Star

Ludlow youngsters raising money to remember the town's lost soldiers

Youngsters in Ludlow are hoping to raise about £1,000 towards remembering a town's lost soldiers.

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Ludlow School will be holding a fundraising day next month to help campaigners meet the £6,000 needed to have the names of the fallen placed around Ludlow's Castle Square memorial.

The memorial was put up in 1993 and simply bears the inscription "Lest we forget", while the 180 soldiers lost in various wars are listed in the porch of St Laurence's Church.

Fundraisers behind the memorial scheme have so far raised nearly £2,000, and are hoping the school's efforts will provide a big boost.

Headteacher Philip Poulton said: "Year 11 pupils Sophie Everall and Kayleigh Roberts are leading fundraising for the Ludlow Memorial Fund.

"The pupils will be holding a non-uniform day and cake sale in school on February 6, as well as raising awareness for the local campaign."

Sophie's grandmother Thurza Sibbons, who is one of those behind the memorial scheme, said she was proud of her 15-year-old granddaughter.

It was a cause close to her heart, she explained.

"She's a member of the Ludlow Cadets and she also used to help out on remembrance day, after the parade, doing the Poppy Appeal draw at the Royal British Legion," she said.

"They have over 700 pupils at the school, so if they all pay £1 it will make a lot."

The memorial project was the idea of Margaret Edwards and Jean Parker at Poyners Drapers in Ludlow.

Mrs Edwards said: "We're very pleased that a young girl like Sophie has taken it upon herself to do this for our appeal, and it's very kind of Ludlow School to let her do it."

She said they were still calling for anyone who might have a link with any of the soldiers on Ludlow's roll of honour to come forward to sponsor a name. So far 40 of the 180 have a sponsor, at £1 a letter.

Among those still unsponsored are names such as Cyril Bodenham, Bill Griffiths and Harry Price, though local historian Clive Richardson has dug out pictures and information about the men.

Another soldier proved to have a link very close to home for the women at Poyners.

Mrs Edwards said: "We found out that Stanley Tillit, whose name is on the roll, was born right here in this shop."

She said in 1818 one half of Poyners was a grocer's shop owned by Stanley's parents William and Fanny.

"He died when he was in his thirties. He actually came back to England from the war but died of TB. He is buried in the church yard at St Leonard's, and he had three sisters and four brothers.

"We'd like anyone who is a relation to come forward. It would be great if anyone could tell us a bit more about them and to have a picture."

Because of the link, she said, they had decided to sponsor Stanley themselves.

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