New memorial stone being unveiled to Shropshire regiment at National Memorial Arboretum

The monument is being unveiled at the National Memorial Arboretum in Alrewas, Staffordshire, in honour of those from the county killed in action in the service of their country.

The event, which is due to take place at 11am on Sunday, is set to attract hundreds of people, including former members of the King's Shropshire Light Infantry (KSLI).

The monument will make particular reference to the 4,663 soldiers of the KSLI who died during the First World War.

Maurice Halliday, a former warrant officer in the regiment, who served with the KSLI from 1962 until 1985, said: "On Sunday the Lord Lieutenant of Shropshire will unveil a massive memorial for those who were killed and served from Shropshire.

"It is eight foot wide and 5.5 inches high and is made of foot-thick green granite.

"On it will be emblazoned the KSLI name, motto and cap badge.

"There will also be two benches either side which are also made of granite."

He added: "One will feature the coat of arms of Bridgnorth with the date 1755 and the other featuring the coat of arms of Shrewsbury with the date 1759.

"It will honour everybody who served in the regiment. The recruiting area was obviously the whole of Shropshire, most of Herefordshire, and large chunks of West Midlands, including Wolverhampton, Cannock and Walsall.

"We met with all five MPs for Shropshire who gave us support and some even gave us some money.

"We also got support from town councils."

Mr Halliday, co-ordinating officer of the KSLI memorial appeal, added: "About 500 people will be there on Sunday, including quite few senior officers from the KSLI.

"The mayors of Shrewsbury, Bridgnorth, Whitchurch and Market Drayton will be attending.

"More could be there once people know something happening is there.

"The KSLI goes back a long way and this has been a long time coming.

"Shropshire is one of the few regiments which doesn't have their's, so it is going to be a really good day for us."

Mr Halliday wished to thank everyone who helped with the appeal.

Former regiment members launched the campaign to get a lasting memorial about two years ago.

The regiment, first formed in Bridgnorth in 1755 and known then as the 53rd (Shropshire) regiment, served in such places as North America, India, Afghanistan, Eastern Sudan and Korea.

The regiment was subsumed within the Light Infantry when it was formed in 1968.

The appeal committee wanted to raise the money for a permanent dedicated memorial at the National Arboretum, which serves as a focal point for many armed services memorials.