War dead stories sought for study

The stories behind the war dead could be collated into a book

A project has been launched to try to find out the stories behind 1,000 men listed on a war memorial in Kent.

A researcher from Cambridge University is overseeing the study at the Dover site, with results due to be published in time for Remembrance Sunday.

Maggie Stephenson-Knight, who went to school in Dover, said she wanted the human stories behind the names.

"I'm looking for the day they died, how did they get killed, and what were the conditions they were under," she said.

The memorial is located in front of Maison Dieu House and is dedicated to the people of Dover who died in both World War I and World War II.

Permanent document

"It's become apparent that there are people still living in Dover who are related to the people who are on the war memorial," Ms Stephenson-Knight said.

The information uncovered will be collated into a permanent document, possibly in the format of a book.

Dover town council clerk Mike Webb said he suspected there was a lot of documentation still in the possession of families, including letters from the War Office informing them their loved ones had been killed.

"We would like copies of those, and photographs, and any information - it is out there," he added.

Anyone who can help in the project is asked to contact Dover Town Council.