Search for stories behind Wolverhampton war heroes

Volunteers have been trying to trace the stories of 22 war heroes listed on a memorial in their community.

For more than a decade, the Trinity War Memorial Community and Heritage Group has been cleaning and restoring the First World War tribute on Compton Road in Wolverhampton.

With help from a local historian, the group has managed to find out about the lives of 20 of the 22 names engraved on the monument.

It now hopes to learn about the final two - Edward Hodson and Thomas Price.

"It's very important that we remember people who lost their lives in any conflict and we will keep doing that as long as we can," said volunteer Phil Farmer.

"The older you get, the more important these things become. You start to look at your own family history."

Among the names on the plaque are three women and those who had emigrated, including one who died in Canada.

William Henry Beckett was born in Burslem, Staffordshire, in 1893 and had moved to Wolverhampton by 1901, where he lived with his uncle and aunt.

He worked as a mercantile clerk until his emigrated in 1912 to Canada, where he joined the Canadian Expeditionary Force in 1915.

He died the following year from pulmonary pneumonia, aged 22.

A booklet containing the stories of those listed on the monument has been put together by First World War historian Doug Lewis.

The group has also tracked down a brass plaque bearing the same 22 names, alongside the names of hundreds of others who served.

It had been moved around over the years but has found a more permanent home at The Royal Oak pub on Compton Road.

The group's efforts have been recognised by local politicians including councillor Muhammad Nasim and councillor Craig Collingswood, who have made donations to restore the monument.

On Wednesday, an Armistice Day service will be held on Compton Road, with members of the public invited to attend.

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