RESIDENTS of Semington are to dedicate a memorial bench to men from the village who died during the First World War.

It will be dedicated at 2pm on Sunday, September 8. It is located next to the bus stop opposite the West Wiltshire Crematorium.

The bench is positioned in front of the ten oak trees which were planted alongside the A361 last October to commemorate the centenary of the 1918 Armistice.

The base for the bench has been provided by Mr Patrick Ward and his family. The memorial panel will be fitted to the bench on Sunday, September 8.

The names of the fallen are inscribed on a memorial in the grounds of St George’s Church at Semington. In addition, two more who died from ill health following the war are buried in the churchyard.

The dedication service has been organised by Semington parish councillor Steve Rimmer who said: “1919 was ‘Homecoming’ for many of the men who had survived the war.

“At the time there were only 450 people living in the village in only 70 households so this represented a significant loss for the community.

“Over the following few years two more men who came back from active service died through ill health resulting from their wartime service and they are remembered on their gravestones in the grounds of the Church in Semington.

“In November 2018, ten oak trees were planted on the grass verge opposite the crematorium on the A361.

“If all is well ‘The Semington Oaks’ should bear witness to these events for many more years."