THE bells of Wordsley's Holy Trinity Church will ring out next Wednesday evening (May 3) in memory of a tragic WWI soldier who died 100 years ago.

Gunner William Atkins - the son of James and Agnes Atkins of Lawnswood Road - lost his life on May 3 1917, aged 23, while serving with the 152nd Brigade Royal Field Artillery in Artois, France.

The brigade had been engaged in the April Battle of Arras and continued after earlier successes until the last phase which opened on May 3.

However - Atkins, a bell ringer at Holy Trinity Church, was seriously wounded during a night of enemy shelling and was taken to the 8th Casualty Clearing Station at Duisans on the outskirts of Arras but he died that day.

Exactly a century on - between 7pm and 7.30pm on Wednesday May 3 - the bells at Holy Trinity in Wordsley High Street will ring out in tribute to the brave soldier who is buried in Duisans Military Cemetery, France.

The bell ringers of Holy Trinity Church, who practice every Thursday from 7.30pm and ring every Sunday morning, are currently looking for new members.

Anyone interested in joining the team or finding out more can turn up on Thursdays or call Eric Bayford on 07906 264002 or email ericbayford@thinkpositive.co.uk.