AS an exhibition to mark the lives of First World War soldiers from South Oxford draws to a close, the descendant of one man honoured has said she was delighted with its success.

The 66 Men of Grandpont installation, which finishes tomorrow, pays tribute to the 66 men on the war memorial in St Matthew’s Church in Marlborough Road.

Information about each man has been put on the gate or front wall of the house he lived in before he went to fight in the First World War.

A poppy has been placed alongside the information at the houses where a man did not return.

The trail has been accompanied by an exhibition in St Matthew’s and a website that gives information about each of the men.

Gaynor Smith from Marston visited the trail with her seven-year-old daughter Emily Gibbs and her mother Hazel.

Ms Smith’s grandmother’s second cousin Arthur Wallis lived at 27 Buckingham Road and later 6 Kineton Road, where he is commemorated today.

A private with the 8th Battalion Royal Fusiliers, he was killed at the Somme on October 7, 1916 at the age of 19.

Accounts assistant Ms Smith, 43, said: “I had been researching my family through ancestry websites for a while and I saw a story about 66 Men of Grandpont in the Oxford Mail, so I got in touch with Liz Woolley who was organising it.

“We went to visit the trail last weekend and I thought it was lovely.

“I already knew a bit about Arthur but the family never talked about him and his body did not come home.”

Emma Hill, who helped organise the trail, said it had helped bring history to life.

The amateur historian from Whitehouse Road said: “Having it about your own doorsteps brings it closer to home.

“You can look out your window and imagine people receiving telegrams to say their loved ones had been killed or hurt.

Nearby Western Road lost nine men in the First World War out of at least 42 who went to fight.

Resident Lucy Atkins, said: “Something about seeing the poppies and reading about each man makes it so vivid.”