Every man will be remembered thanks to new Royal British Legion website
They gave their today for our tomorrow.
Our fallen heroes are not only remembered by their names engraved into stone memorials, at cemeteries or at annual services.
Last year the Royal British Legion embarked on an ambitious project to remember every man killed during the First World War with a new online website.
The Every Man Remembered is an online database that allows people to leave a tribute to someone they have a connection to or find someone who has no-one to commemorate them.
Since it was launched one year ago there have been 160,000 tributes to fallen servicemen from across the country – that's nearly 450 moving messages being added every day.
The legion launched the website to mark the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of the war and to encourage people to log on and pay their respects at the click of mouse.
It includes profiles of the 1,117,077 Commonwealth servicemen and women who died in the First World War.
Peter Hobson, vice-chairman of the Staffordshire county branch of the Royal British Legion, said: "It is of huge importance that we remember these men.
"They paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.
"In Stafford we have our annual cross laying.
"But this website allows people to pay their tributes throughout the year.
"It is important we record and remember who these brave men were and what they did.
"The number of tributes paid in its first year is incredible and I would encourage as many others as possible to log on and find their relatives or leave a tribute to someone who has no one to commemorate them."
Prominent personalities from the worlds of entertainment, arts and business have already paid tribute to some of those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Actor Tom Hardy, Downton Abbey creator Lord Julian Fellowes, TV historian Dan Snow and West Ham United vice chairman Karren Brady are among those who have remembered First World War servicemen they are connected to.
Dr Stephen Clarke, head of remembrance at the Legion, said: "Every Man Remembered is our greatest act of remembrance during the First World War centenary.
"We're asking the British public to commemorate every one of the 1,117,077 men and women who died during the First World War through our huge online database. You can look up a family member, namesake, or make a random search – the important thing is that not a single one of them is left without a dedication and recognition of the role they played in providing the freedom we have today."
People can log onto the site to find someone who was in their family, or who shares their name, age, workplace, birthday or home town.
It includes the names and details of 13,000 servicemen and women who either fought with the South Staffordshire and North Staffordshire regiments, or had links to the region.
Such as Sergeant James Dyke, from Bilston who died on January 4, 1916, while serving with the South Staffordshire Regiment, aged 25. The website lists that he is commemorated at Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery in Belgium.
Ordinary Seaman John Henry Carless is also remembered with a tribute and his story uploaded to the site.
He was the son of John Thomas and Elizabeth Carless, of 31 Tasker Street, in Walsall.
He died on November 17, 1917, aged 21, in heroic circumstances and was awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross.
His story reads: "He was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions on November 17, 1917 aboard HMS Caledon at the Second Battle of Heligoland Bight, Germany, which led to his death.
"Having no known grave, he is listed on Panel 25 of the Royal Naval Memorial at Portsmouth, Hampshire.
"For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty. Although mortally wounded in the abdomen, he still went on serving the gun at which he was acting as rammer, lifting a projectile and helping to clear away the other casualties.
"He collapsed once, but got up, tried again, and cheered on the new gun's crew. He then fell and died. He not only set a very inspiring and memorable example, but he also, whilst mortally wounded, continued to do effective work against the King's enemies."
A tribute left by Jake Hampton simply reads: "An amazing story and a real hero."
The campaign was inspired by a British Explorer Scout who visited a war cemetery in Belgium and wrote to the Legion asking why some of the graves had dozens of poppies and crosses next to them, while others had none.
Dr Clarke added: "The support The Royal British Legion provides is just as important for our armed forces today as it was when the charity was founded after the First World War.
"Every Man Remembered will help us make a real connection to those who died 100 years ago and support those who continue to serve."
The website is also seen as a permanent reminder of the numbers who were killed during the war and it is hoped more people will upload their tributes after the success and acclaim of the 888,246 ceramic poppies placed at the Tower of London to mark every British death in the war.
To pay your own tribute go to www.everymanremembered.org
