VILLAGERS at Winsley have unveiled a plaque to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the First World War and to honour the men who never came home.

Ed Gilby, chair of Winsley Parish Council, Armistice Centenary co-ordinator Phillip Bush, and Jane Hudson, whose grandfather Lieutenant-Colonel Richard Chester-Master was one of those who lost his life in the Great War, unveiled the plaque near the Winsley stone.

They were joined by other residents at the ceremony on Saturday (March 9) at the site where villagers planted two trees as a permanent memorial to the men from Winsley who took part in the First and Second World Wars.

Lt-Col Chester-Master, of the 60th Rifles, Royal Rifle Corps, was killed aged 47 on August 30 1917. He was formerly the Chief Constable of Gloucestershire.

As part of the 100th anniversary commemorations last year, residents planted an English Oak and a Red Oak by the Winsley stone at the Bradford on Avon entrance to the village.

The new plaque reads: “These trees were planted by Winsley Parish Council to mark the centenary of the end of the First World War on November 11 1918. We honour the memory of all those who served and especially those who made the supreme sacrifice. Winsley remembers them.”

Mrs Hudson, 89, of Avonpark, said: “It is a great privilege to take part in this ceremony and to remember all the brave men and women who, like my grandfather, went to war to defend our freedoms. I hope people will see these fine trees and be reminded of them for many years to come.”

Mr Bush said: “One hundred and thirteen Winsley man went to war, 13 of whom did not return. Our new plaque commemorates them and also the one million other British and Empire men and women who also died. The names of all those who served in the war are recorded on the village ‘honours board’ in the Winsley Club.”

Winsley Parish Council member Mrs Zoe Elstone organised the tree-planting last year and the plaque last year as part of the nationwide commemorations of the end of the First World War.

Wiltshire Council encouraged towns and villages to plant more than 10,000 trees in the county, around one for each Wiltshire man or woman who died.