A MEMORIAL gate has been unveiled in Eardisland in memory of a fallen First World War soldier.

Private Harry Smith, of the First Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment, was killed in action a century ago on August 8 on the Western Front near Riez du Vinage.

The gate was opened 100 years to the day of his death as part of the Heritage Lottery funded Eardisland Memorial Walks project.

Colonel Bob Caruthers OBE, TD, chair of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment Association, unveiled the plaque on the gate in memory of Private Smith and the 11,600 soldiers from the regiment who lost their lives in the war.

A minute silence was held and wreath laid to mark the unveiling, which was attended by veterans from Hereford and Eardisland residents.

The scheme has seen the creation of walks around Eardisland and surrounding parishes, each named after a fallen soldier named on Eardisland's War Memorial.

Private Smith's walk is one of 13, seven of which feature a Memorial Gate with more soon to follow.

The Memorial Gate for Private Harry Smith can be found on Broome Lane, outside Eardisland.

For more information on the project, visit: www.eardislandmemorialwalks.org.uk