AN OBELISK of natural stone will stand as an enduring memorial of the Kempley men who marched away to the First World War, and never returned.

The memorial, on the village green, will be set in place in September, but the official unveiling will take place, poignantly, on the last day of British Summer Time, Saturday October 25.

Kempley people have responded generously to the Kempley Memorial Project.

An appeal for funds went through the letterbox of every Kempley household, 120 homes in total, last month, and already £1700 is in the kitty, towards a target of £3000.

An appeal has also been launched to find out more about the nine Kempley servicemen whose names will be on the memorial plaques

Project spokesman, Tony Prisk of Kempley Green said: "We are still looking for more details about the men who died. We have some information, but we would like some more."

There will be a plaque representing each of the men, and the plaques will be set in a circle of paved stones, surrounding the obelisk.

The names around the obelisk will be as follows: Corporal Frederick Dyer; Private William Alfred Hodges; L/Corp Henry Charles Jones; Private Samuel Kirby; Private Benjamin Lane; Private Alfred Manns; Private Frank Manns; Private Hubert Powell; Flight Sergeant Colin Robert Morley.

Anyone with information on the men, or wishing to make a donation towards the project, should phone 01531 890518 or 890617.