A HISTORY group hopes to commemorate those who died in the First World War with a special publication.
With next year marking 100 years since the conflict began, Broughton District History Group is looking to research about 140 men from the Broughton area of Wrexham who died during the war.
It includes the 76 men listed on the Brynteg War Memorial on Quarry Road.
Philip Coops, vice-chairman of the group, said: “In Brynteg there is a wonderful war memorial gate that lists the 76 men killed in World War One.
“With it being the 100th anniversary next year, we’re looking at putting together a publication taking in New Broughton, Southsea, Caego and the whole of Broughton.
“We’ve got 140 names so far and we’ve been doing research on them to try and put together a short history of each person.
“I’ve been sitting here at my computer and I’ve done 40 so far.
“My friend Robert Webb has been through the old newspapers in the archives at Wrexham Library and extracted all mentions of people from Broughton in World War One.
“We’re trying to bring together as big a commemoration for these lads as we can.
“Their average age was around 21, which is very young, but there’s one as old as 50.”
Mr Coops, 66, has appealed for information from anyone in the Broughton area whose family members served during the First World War as he looks to compile the publication over the next 18 months.
He said: “What we really need is information from the families of these people and I’d like to ask if they’ve got any old photos, letters or even medals belonging
to those who died that we could photograph or record.
“A lot of people have got this stuff, but often it’s up in the attic. If they’ve got any medals that we could borrow to put on display that would be fantastic.
“With the photographs it doesn’t matter if they’re torn or cracked, we’ll repair them.”
Explaining the reason behind his research, Mr Coops said: “I’ve always had an interest in World War One, it’s something my father and uncle passed on to me as a child.
“Previously, I came up with the idea of holding a celebration when it was the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of the 11th year.
“We had a two-day event at the Brynteg War Memorial Hall which was a great success. Some of the senior members of the community were very moved by it.”
Anyone who has any information relating to those from the Broughton area who died during the First World War can contact Mr Coops on 01978 758990.