COMMUNITY effort and generosity made sure the installation of a four tonne war memorial stone for Kempley went without a hitch last weekend.

The obelisk, which is being paid for through public donations, at a total cost of £3000, will carry the names of the village's fallen, when it is officially unveiled on October 25, the last day of British summertime.

On that day, there will also be exhibition about the project and the nine Kempley men who marched away to war, never to return.

But first of all, project organisers have launched an appeal for information concerning the one Kempley man to die during World War Two, because more is known about the village's eight World War One casualties than about him.

Flight Sergeant Robert Morley was killed over Northern Ireland in 1942, and he is buried at the Brookwood Military Cemetery in Surrey.

Project researcher Tony Prisk has also discovered that he, his brother Lloyd and his sister Bernice all attended Newent Grammar School, "and all three went on to study at Reading University".

He has also discovered that Bernice emigrated to the USA in 1952, on board a ship called the Caronia, and that the family's original name was Moses, and they may have been of Central European origin.

"Apart from that, the trail has gone cold. We don't even have a photograph."

Mr Prisk, and his colleagues on the project hope local knowledge will fill all the gaps by the time of the exhibition.

Anyone with information and wishing to help should phone Howell Rees on 01531 890518 or email: howellrees@talktalk.net

The fund for the village green memorial is still £900 short of its £3000 target.

Anyone wishing to make a donation should address cheques to the Kempley Memorial Project and sent them to Lynette Greenway, Treasurer KMP, The Nook, Kempley Green, Dymock, GL18 2BW.

This 11ft Devonian sandstone Obelisk delivered from owner James McCrindle of Copes Quarry Blakeney was erected by Damon Bradley, of Sculpture Transport and Installation.

It was lowered into a hole dug by local men Dave Price and Martin Boon.

The stone is from the same seam that built St Edward's Arts and Crafts church in the village, over 110 years. ago.