Blue plaques to honour servicemen who died in the First World War
BLUE plaques will be put up on houses in Burbage to honour village servicemen who made the ultimate sacrifice during the First World War.
30 plaques bearing the names, honours and dates of death of the 32 soldiers are being installed wherever their homes still stand as part of a project to mark the 100th anniversary of the end of the conflict.
A further 32, whose homes are no longer standing, are to be honoured on a joint plaque at Millennium Hall on Britannia Road.
Research into the villagers being honoured has been carried out by members of the Burbage Heritage group.
Chairman, Sylvia Whitworth, said: “Over the coming months, we hope people will take the opportunity to walk around the village and reflect upon the families who would have received the sad news of their loved ones around the village.”
Printed biographies have been compiled for each fallen soldier, including copies of photographs and documents where available and will be presented to the owners of each property bearing a plaque, as a reminder of their parish predecessors who paid the greatest price.
More information about how Burbage and its residents were affected by and commemorated the First World War is available in a special 16-page commemorative booklet which can be found at the Millennium Hall and taken away in return for a donation to The Royal British Legion.