EASTLEIGH residents can now commemorate the names of those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Up until this week the war memorial in Leigh Road Recreation Ground has not carried the names of those residents who lost their lives during the First and Second World War.

After £35,000 worth of funding, residents can now commemorate those individuals after a new monument has been implemented that bears the names of the fallen.

The news comes after councillors on the Eastleigh Local Area Committee agreed for major works to improve the memorial in time for the centennial commemoration.

Councillor Paul Bicknell, chair of the committee, which funded the memorial project, said: “The Borough of Eastleigh played an important role in the First and Second World War and a number of residents of Eastleigh parish – both military and civilian – sacrificed their lives.

“Although Eastleigh town centre has its own memorial, the names of the fallen had never previously been recorded on a monument.

“The centenary of the end of World War 1 presented us with an opportunity to put that right and I believe that, working with our partners in the Royal British Legion, we have created a dignified and lasting tribute.”

A spokesperson from The Royal British Legion said;“We all owe the First World War generation, and the generations of the Armed Forces that have continued to serve, sacrifice and change our world since the First World War, a huge debt of gratitude.

“As champions of Remembrance the Legion believes that the memories of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country should be upheld.

“As we mark the centenary of the end of the First World War it is fitting that those who gave their lives for the freedoms we enjoy today have been commemorated in this way on the Eastleigh War Memorial.”

The new monument in currently covered but will be unveiled on Remembrance Sunday.

This year’s Eastleigh Remembrance Service begins with the civic procession led by the Mayor, Councillor Bruce Tennent, from The Point arts centre in Leigh Road at 10.30am before the wreath-laying ceremony and two minutes silence at 11am.

The Eastleigh, Chandler’s Ford and District Branch of the Royal British Legion will form up for the Remembrance Parade in the Mitchell Road service road, between Southampton Road and Market Street at 10.15am andl march to the war memorial at 10.30 am.

After the service they will reform in Leigh Road for a march past at The Point where the Deputy Lord Lieutenant, Mrs Joan Ferrer and the Mayor will take the salute.

A short civic wreath-laying ceremony will also be held at the Cenotaph in the Military Cemetery at the Royal Victoria Country Park, Netley, at 3pm.