THE Village of Lydford, on Dartmoor, will – like so many other villages across the UK – gather round their War Memorial this year, 100 years after the start of WWI.

Author, Country Life Editor-at-Large and broadcaster Clive Aslet has written a book about those remembered on Lydford’s monument, sparking a new challenge to find descendants of the fallen.

Clive will be hosting a special talk at Exeter University where he will detail the lives lost and the sacrifices made by the Lydford residents during the War.

A commemoration at the War Memorial on 7th September will see Regimental representatives – including from the Canadian Army - veterans, civic dignitaries and descendants gather for a service at 3pm. The talk at Exeter University will take place following the commemoration (at 6.30pm), raising money for ABF The Soldiers’ Charity.

Robert Jordan, from The Soldiers’ Charity, is behind the unique event. He said: “This commemoration and talk is very significant coming as it does in the Centenary year. It would be made extra special with more families with links to those who made the ultimate sacrifice to help us mark the occasion.”

One descendant is still living in the village. Graham Huggins (pictured below on the left with Howard Barkell, Lydford historian) is the great nephew of Sergeant Archie Huggins, North Devon Hussars. The search for more relatives has begun with the help of Findmypast.com and local history societies and one or two leads are being investigated.

Still to be traced are family members of:

• Petty Officer Stoker George Metters RN

• Surgeon Commander William Henry Daw RN

• Pte Frank Wilfred Fry, Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry

• Pte Richard Henry Hobbs, Devonshire Regt

• Pte Richard John Petherick, Dorsetshire Regt

• Sgt Edward John Whitford, King’s Royal Rifle Corps

• Sgt Archibald Roger Huggins, Royal North Devon Hussars

• Pte George Henry Taylor Lake, Royal Warwickshire Regiment

• LCpl Charles Henry Berry, Worcestershire Regiment

• Lt Richard Radford Turner, Royal Sussex Regiment

• LCpl James Stephens, 816th Employment Company

• Pte Mancel Clark, Manitoba Regiment

• Pte Samuel Voyzey, Canadian Infantry

If you are from the Lydford area and know of a family member who fought in the war, please do not hesitate to get in touch with The Soldiers’ Charity. For further information about the commemoration and event click on the Soldiers Charity related link on this story.