A CAMPAIGN to trace Hampshire’s forgotten heroes, who gave their lives for their country, has been backed by a research group.

The Daily Echo has teamed up with Southampton City Council for the Find the Forgotten initiative, which aims to ensure that the residents who bravely sacrificed their lives are not forgotten.

Southampton’s cenotaph bears the names of 3,298 men and women who died during the First and Second World Wars, as well as other conflicts throughout the last 100 years.

There are many other people who have not been honoured by having their name engraved on the monument and we are looking for these deserving souls.

Lona Fryatt, from the Southampton Cenotaph Families group which researches former servicemen from the city, is keen to see the project succeed.

She said: “We will definitely support this campaign, we are always on the look-out for more information about the fallen and any information we can get we are grateful for.

“We are doing this for the future and if we don’t do something now, it will just more and more difficult to trace people.

“It wouldn’t be a surprise if there are more than 100 people whose names are not recorded. I think there are plenty more people to come forward, but I think they are unaware of the work that goes on as they maybe don't live in the area anymore. Something like this will really help to raise awareness.”

The families group was established in March 2012 to ensure that current and future generations are aware of the stories of their ancestors.

Dedicated research volunteers have carried out hours of work to chronicle the lives of those lost in war, and has lobbied the council to ensure that monuments are kept in good condition.

The city council hopes to raise £10,000 to help pay for the names of 100 people to have their names added to the city’s monument and Cllr Satvir Kaur said: “Southampton is a vibrant and diverse city with all our communities having contributed to the war effort by fighting together, and they continue to serve our city and country.”

To nominate a serviceman you know of, whose name is not on the memorial wall, email newsdesk@dailyecho.co.uk. The deadline for nominations is April 30, 2018, with work set to be completed on the memorial by November of that year.

For more information on the cenotaph group visit southamptoncenotaph.com.