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16
Nov 2022
Ex-soldier from Harrogate researches 1,000 names on war memorial
A former soldier has researched the stories of more than 1,000 people whose names are listed on the Harrogate war memorial.
Graham Roberts is now offering to give the information for free to families of those who died in the two world wars.
There are 774 names from the First World War and 331 from the Second World War listed on the stone obelisk beneath the inscriptions 'Pro Patria' and 'Their name liveth for evermore'.
Thousands of people turn out in all weathers each year on Remembrance Sunday, as they did last weekend, to pay their respects.
Harrogate-born Mr Roberts, who spent 37 years as an army reservist, has managed to find details of all but about 40 of the names on the memorial.
He said he "wouldn't like to think" how much time he has spent on the task. He said:
Mr Roberts, who is now retired, used the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website as a first port of call as well as other resources, such as the website Ancestry.
He said he was able to find precise details of some who died but only sparse details for others.
His research threw up some fascinating tales and anomalies. He said:
Mr Roberts said he was happy to share any information with family descendants. He can be contacted at Graham.R2467@outlook.com.
He added he was keen to receive any information on the 40 or so people whose details remain elusive.
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