Hunt is on for relatives of Ludford's heroes of the Great War

And now the hunt is on to track down relatives of that band of brothers from Ludlow area so that they can be invited to an unveiling of a war memorial in their honour.

All the names of those from the small parish of Ludford who served in the conflict are being inscribed on the war memorial which is being unveiled on Sunday (August 3), the eve of the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of the war, at Ludford Park Meadow of Remembrance.

Organiser Lin Dalton says she has traced the relatives of five of the men so far, of whom three live locally, one lives in Spain, and she is herself the fifth - her grandfather's cousin was George Henry Pound.

"It is a part Heritage Lottery-funded joint project between Shropshire Wildlife Trust, Ludford Park Meadow of Remembrance and the community, to research life during World War One in the parish of Ludford," she said.

"The main aims are to create a Remembrance Garden of wildflowers including a memorial stone inscribed with the names of all the men who served from the parish, making it different from most war memorials, which are only for those who died. The men who were lucky enough to return were scarred for life either physically or mentally and should also be honoured.

"Secondly, to research the names of those from the parish of Ludford who went to war, find any descendants and record all the findings for future educational purposes, and to produce a map showing how many men went to war from each road in the parish.

"And lastly, to hold an opening ceremony at the Remembrance Garden on Sunday, August 3, inviting as many of the relatives as can be traced. This will be followed by an event on nearby Whitcliffe Common called Ludford Remembers. It will be a family day and details are being finalised.

"The parish boundary at that time was slightly different to today, yet still had some peculiarities. For example, the only property in Rock Lane to be in Ludford parish was Rock Cottage, the remainder were in the parish of East Hamlet."

Relatives can contact Lin on 01584 877852.

The full list of soldiers is, from Ludford: Edward Anthony, who died at home on March 24, 1917; Samuel Ernest Berry, of 8 Ludford; Allen Bloom, of The Alms House, Ludford Park, who was killed in action on November 10, 1915; Thomas Dean, of Railway Crossing, KIA September 26, 1917; Albert Edward Galley, Ludford Lodge, KIA December 2, 1915; William James Griffiths, of 8 Ludford.

William Benjamin Mason, of Ludford Lodge; Richard John Penny, of 1 Old Bell Cottages; Edmund Thomas Smith, of the Charlton Arms; Harry Pritchard, KIA August 13, 1916; William. A. Wardman, of Hucks Barn Farm; Edwin Stanley Price, of 2 Cliffe Villas; and Thomas Ward.

From Whitcliffe: C. Evason, of Whitcliffe Farm; Walter John Sanders, of Whitcliffe Farm; George Henry Brown, of 2 Whitcliffe Cottages; William Edward Jackson, of 4 Whitcliffe Cottages; Archibald Caleb Williams, of 1 Whitcliffe Road; Alex Victor Williams, of 1 Whitcliffe Road; Harold George Williams, of Whitcliffe Cottage; Richard Charles Williams, of Whitcliffe Cottage.

From Sheet: George William Childes, of 2 Fair View, Sheet Road; Benjamin George Farmer, of Pear Tree Cottage; Henry Chase Meredith, of Sheet House; Thomas Perry Jnr, of Old Kennel Cottage.

From Temeside: Godfrey George William Day, of 1 Temeside; Reginald Edwin Day, of 1 Temeside.

From Steventon: Thomas Henry Bevan, of 35 Steventon New Road; Henry Bradley, of 39 Steventon New Road, KIA July 12, 1917; James Charmer, of 21 Steventon Crescent; James Northwood, of 25 Steventon Road; Armel John O'Connor, of St Mary's Meadow, Temeside; Frederick Penny, of 21 Steventon New Road; Henry Frank Penny, of 21 Steventon New Road, KIA May 4, 1917; George H. Pound, of Watchcot, died October 16, 1918; Alfred Saunders, of 33 Steventon New Road, KIA November 19, 1915; Henry Saunders, of 33 Steventon New Road, KIA September 25, 1915; Henry Thomas, 67 Steventon New Road, died December 10, 1918; Robert Vashon Twiddy, of Foldgate Farm; Harold William Warburton, of Moss House; James Arthur Weaver; Henry Thomas Weaver; Alexander Wylde, of 53 Steventon New Road.

From Ledwyche: F. Evans, of Upper Ledwyche; F. Preece, of Lower Ledwyche; Ernest John Price, of 1 Lower Ledwyche, died April 1, 1916; Henry Thomas Price, of 1 Poole Cottage; Herbert Williams, of Cay Brook; Thomas Williams, of Cay Brook.

From Rock Lane: Geoffrey William Saunders, Phillip Henry Saunders, and George Saunders, all of Rock Cottage.