One of the great tributes to the men of both World Wars are the war memorials which are a feature of many local churchyards and village greens.

Often set up by members of the church or parish council, they list the men of the community who gave their lives in service to their country. However, they do not always tell the whole story.

The Great War ended on November 11th, 1918 but the memorials, both local, national and Commonwealth War Graves were mostly constructed a few years after the end of the war. A number of people who had local connections were therefore often left off the memorial, usually because they had moved away pre-war, either through emigration, work or marriage. In essence it needed someone locally to remember them and ensure their name was put on the memorial.

Private Henry Albert Gwatkin was one of those not included on the Ross Memorial. His family had considerable roots in the Ross area but had moved to Gloucester for work before the war and Henry Gwatkin married there. He is remembered on memorials in Russia and Surrey, but he was born in Ross, baptised here and spent his early years here so it may be that he should be remembered here.

There are several names which are included on the Roll of Honour which will be published in the special second edition of the World War I supplement, put together by the Ross Gazette, which do not appear on a local war memorial. There are also of course those who died in conflicts since WWI. These names have sometimes been added to the original memorial or newer ones have been installed.

However, the various memorials still provide a focal point for Remembrance, especially every November. During the lead up to the commemorations for the start of WWI the Ross Gazette lead a campaign to get the local war memorials restored. Many of these had become badly worn, and as the services for the end of WWI the first Armistice take place it is pleasing to note how the appearance of many of the memorials has been improved.The Ross Gazette would be pleased to hear about how villages in and around Ross-on-Wye are commemorating World War One. Please get in touch with details about and photos of your Remembrance.See this week’s paper for more stories like this, available in shops and as a Digital Edition now.