A KNOWLE war memorial is to be renovated in time to mark the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I in November.
The Knowle Society has announced the ‘forgotten memorial’ in the Parish Churchyard on High Street is set to be made the main site of the commemorative efforts.
The society is calling on families to get in touch to make sure all the names of of those who died in the war are on the Roll of Honour to be carved on the new monument are correct.
It will be transformed from a small monument with dilapidated stonework and hidden by bushes into a historic centrepiece with a full list of those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.
The current monument – which many don’t know exists – also does not yet have the names of the fallen inscribed on it.
The society’s plans involve a professional clean while new stones will be added and engraved with the Roll of Honour.
Oak gates will also be installed to provide a clearer view for commemorative occasions.
Janet Erzen, chair of the Knowle Society’s local history team, is leading the appeal for any additional names to be added to the list of the fallen.
She said: “The list is available on our website and we would ask anyone with relatives from Knowle who went to war and did not return, to check that they are included correctly.”
Remembrance events have been held around a temporary cenotaph that was put up near Parish Church.
But it is expected the new memorial will be ready for November 11 and will take up the mantle as the main commemorative site.
The current memorial is not listed by Historic England.
Bill Bohana, trustee director of the Knowle Society, said: “The memorial has little space around it, it is almost lost among bushes and does not list the names of the fallen, which can be found in the church. As a result only a minority of local people know the memorial is even there.
“Now there is positive momentum behind a drive to bring the old memorial back into use by having it professionally cleaned, making more space around it and adding new stones to its rear.
“We want the memorial to once again be the focus of remembrance in the village and what better year in which to achieve that?”
For more information contact Janet on [email protected] or on 01564779040
