Video: Oswestry project remembers 'Men on the Gates'

Qube in Oswestry is looking for volunteers to help with their project 'Men on the Gates', after being awarded a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) to research and document the lives and stories of the men commemorated on the memorial.

The project plans to create a comprehensive resource for future generations, documenting Oswestry's role during the First World War, with the final research linking to national archives through an interactive website and printed publications.

Project researcher John Davies said: "So far the research shows how rich and varied the lives of the Men on the Gates were.

"The men came from all walks of society but there are many connections between them – brothers, neighbours, colleagues, pastimes and much more. The stories behind the names are fascinating, intriguing and often poignant."

Mr Davies has already been working with Cambrian Railway Society to help uncover the stories of the 'railway Men on the Gates'. One man, Captain Eric Guy Harris of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, previously worked as an apprentice engineer with the Cambrian Railway Society. He died of wounds received at Gallipoli in 1915.

Another, Private William E Lewis, was a coach builder and one of the 'Oswestry Pals', volunteering in August 1914. He fell on December 31, 1915, of wounds received while in the trenches near Armentieres, France.

Project Volunteer Bobby Coleman, who has been researching Australian and Canadian 'Men on the Gates', said: "Doing the research has been very rewarding, revealing their life stories, discovering who they were and how they came to be embroiled in such tragic world events. It gives their sacrifice a greater meaning to help and contribute to the commemoration of their lives."

Qube is calling for anyone with an interest in Oswestry's First World War history to get involved by becoming a research volunteer.

People are invited to come along to one of the drop-in sessions at Qube, on Fridays from 10am to 2pm. Anyone with ancestors commemorated on the gates, who has stories, photos, artefacts and personal testimonies to share can call (01691) 656882.