AN AUTHOR from a village near Dorchester has completed a labour of love to keep alive the memories of local men who gave their lives in wartime.

Bob Manning, of Charminster, has written 'They Are Remembered on the Charminster War Memorial Dorchester, Dorset' also in remembrance of local residents who lost family members.

His father Victor Manning served with the Dorset regiment in both world wars and a donation from the sale of each book will be made to The Keep Military Museum.

Charminster's war memorial was dedicated in unveiled in 1920.

For his book, Mr Manning has researched minuted of the village church council and found the idea for Charminster War Memorial was first mooted on December 9 1918.

The Reverend Barclay wrote in the minutes of the council meeting 'To discuss how a permanent parish memorial can be raised in honour of those in the parish who have served in the Army and the Navy during the war."

It was decided that the memorial would be erected in the churchyard of St Mary's Church and the contract for the work was given to Dorchester building firm C.E.Slade and Sons, which had its works in Acland Road.

The memorial was designed by the diocesan architect Mr Charles E. Ponting and the cross was made from Ham Hill stone and place on a bed of reinforced concrete.

In 2009 the memorial was refurbished once sufficient funds were raised. It was given a good cleaning and the names were repainted.

Mr Manning has some of his own memories of the part the Charminster war memorial has played in village life.

He wrote: "My personal recollections are of the pre-war Remembrance services in Charminster church; of the widows and relatives who always occupied the front pews in their long black dresses and hats; of the soldier from the Barracks blowing the Last Post standing by the font at the back of the church."

Some 22 of the soldiers named on the cross in the village churchyard died in the First World War.

Four of these men were not listed as resident in Charminster but had a connection with the village through relatives.

Mr Manning writes: "This leaves 17 Charminster men, of whom 14 are known to have been killed in action, on edied of wounds received in action and one is known to have died of 'heat'.

"Of the 17, eight men served in the Dorset regiment, two in the Royal Berkshire regiment, two in the Royal Horse Artillery and the remaining five in various other regiments.

"Twelve soldiers died in France on the Western Front, three in Mesopotamia and two in Palestine.

"The ages at death ranged from 18 to 40 years. Five soldiers were aged 23, one aged 18 and two were aged 19.

"At the other end of the range two were aged 40 and one each aged 33, 34, 36 and 37.

Mr Manning goes on to tell some of the soldiers' individual stories.

Nine soldiers from Charminster are listed as having died in the Second World War.

Among them are Private Ronald Walter Terrell, who died aged 20 in the Atlantic.

Also mentioned is Private William Thomas Snook, who died aged 30 and is buried at Santerno Valley War Cemetery near Bologna, Italy. He was the husband of Gladys May Snook and lived at The Gardens, Charminster.

Mr Manning also explores the staff memorial at Herrison Hospital, Charlton Down, which was included in the parish of Charminster.

In 2005 the memorial tablet was placed in Herrison Hall and re-dedictaed. It lists ten men who were 'members of the staff who were killed or died on active service...'

Mr Manning said he really enjoyed writing the book.

"The work and research over the years has been a labour of love, to help keep alive the memories of those men who gave their lives for us.

"It has been an honour to remember them. May they Rest in Peace."

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