A ROLL of honour listing the names of Kidderminster’s fallen war heroes featured in a special church service on Sunday, August 3, commemorating the centenary of the declaration of the First World War.

The memorial book, which details 900 of the town’s men and women who gave their lives in fighting since the late 19th century, was carried to the altar by Normandy veteran Bill Bennett before being blessed and dedicated.

An oak stand will now display the roll of honour in St Mary and All Saints’ Church in Kidderminster and a page will be turned each day in memory of those who died.

Ken Stokes, chairman of Kidderminster War Memorials Conservation Trust, the organisation which created the book, said: “We had a full church, which shows that commemorating these heroes is important to the people of Kidderminster.

“The way to honour them is to remember them and the sacrifice they gave and because there is no more room on the war memorial for names we decided to create the roll of honour. We have tried to make sure that they will never be forgotten.

“The service went really well and, even though it was quite emotional for some people who had tears in their eyes, everyone thought it was a fitting tribute.”

Kidderminster War Memorials Conservation Trust, a charity set up in 2002 to repair, maintain and restore war memorials in the town, raised almost £5,000 to pay for the roll of honour, which is written in calligraphy and specially bound.

The trust was helped by the Co-operative supermarket in Franche, which hosted bag-packing fundraising events, and Oakleaf Doors and Windows, which built the wooden stand to display the memorial book.

Young people from the 156 Kidderminster squadron Air Training Corps also supported the project by attending the service, which was led by Rev Rose Lawley.

Members of the public can pay their respects and view the roll of honour at St Mary and All Saints’ Church in Kidderminster any weekday from 11am to 3pm.