A LETTER which was published 100 years ago has inspired a project to create 13 circular walks devoted to fallen soldiers from a Herefordshire village.

Eardisland Memorial Walks was inspired by a letter published in November 1916, now held by the Herefordshire Light Infantry Museum.

An unidentified soldier serving with 1st Herefords in Egypt’s Sinai desert wrote of his, and his fellow soldiers’ memories of home: “What a contrast! he murmurs to himself as he recalls the emerald green fields splashed with the dazzling yellow of the buttercups and tells himself he would almost give his soul to wander at will along those paths again.”

A century later a project has been created to make and name a circular walk using public rights of way after each of the 13 fallen soldiers named on Eardisland’s War Memorial.

"The aim is to make better known the names and lives of these young men who fought for the community’s culture and traditions, their names to be as familiar as any others in the parish," said project founder Hugh Vernon.

"Work is in progress and by the Armistice Centennial next year the 13 walks, each with an oak memorial gate or appropriate alternative, will be in place."

The project encourages remembrance by waymarking signs on each walk inscribed with the respective soldier’s name and regiment, with a guide available describing the route. Information on each man’s regiment, the circumstances of his death and resting place are included.

Last week marked a milestone in the project with the opening of a walk and gate dedicated to Lt Warren Clowes of the King’s Royal Irish Hussars.

Warren was killed in action near Amiens, France in 1918. He was 20 years old.

The gate was hand carved at Choices Foundation in Hereford and made entirely of Herefordshire oak. It was paid for by the Queen’s Royal Hussars Association and bears a brass plaque engraved by Julian Stevens of Hereford.

More than 30 supporters from Eardisland and beyond attended the event, including councillors and members of Herefordshire’s Lieutenancy, all of whom have contributed to the project’s progress to date.

The event also offered a chance to walk on footpaths which together comprise the Lt. Warren Clowes Memorial Walk, followed by a reception at Burton Court, where Warren grew up.

Guides will be improved upon as ongoing research and public awareness broadens. At present, several walks are waymarked and guides are available in Eardisland’s Dovecote Heritage Centre.

For more information, email: EardislandMemorialWalks@Gmail.com.