GRAVES and memorials of soldiers from Thame across the world will be honoured with a distinctive cross to mark the centenary of the First World War.
A new project, Thame Remembers, is being launched by historians and enthusiasts in the town to commemorate the 190 men who have died in conflicts over the past 120 years.
The seven war memorials and boards in Thame list all their names but town and district councillor David Bretherton, who is leading the project, and his team want to recognise each soldier with a two-bar cross, which is part of the town’s official logo.
Some of the graves are at St Mary’s in the town, others are in France and Belgium and as far away as Iraq, Tanzania and New Zealand.
Mr Bretherton said: “I have only heard positive things so far from people. We thought some would be really challenging but people are really up for getting involved.
“It has captured people’s imaginations, very much so.
“People have come up to me saying they want to help and have been crying.
“It’s become quite emotional.”
Coach trips are planned to the Somme, Ypres and Arras over the next two years and the first cross will be laid in St Mary’s on August 3 to mark the centenary of the start of the First World War.
For more details, see thameremembers.org and tomorrow’s Oxford Mail.
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