THE heroic exploits of a Dorchester war hero were commemorated in a memorial service at the grave of the soldier's wife.

Trooper Thomas Warr, a Crimean War veteran who survived the Charge of the Light Brigade, was remembered at a pauper's grave at the Weymouth Avenue cemetery where his wife Amelia was buried 122 years ago.

Trooper Warr died penniless in 1916 at the age of 87 and was also buried in a pauper's grave at St George's in Fordington.

A special memorial plaque to Old Tom' was unveiled in the town two years ago but the unmarked grave of his wife has only just been discovered.

The find was made by Paul Gawler, of Woods funeral directors, and his fellow researchers Jenny Dando and former soldier Peter Metcalfe.

They discovered Amelia Warr's name in the record books at the Weymouth Avenue cemetery in Dorchester.

A special memorial tablet, created by Mr Gawler and Portland mason John Broodle, was unveiled the memorial service.

The tablet was blessed by the Rev Druscilla Dennis, team vicar at Dorchester's St Peter's Church.

Also at the ceremony was Barry Allenby, representing Trooper Warr's regiment the 11th Hussars, clerk of the joint burial committee Dennis Holmes and former Mayor of Dorchester Leslie Phillips.

Mr Gawler said: "It was a very nice service.

"Jenny came down and had found a lot of information about Amelia Warr and her life, which she read out.

"She was married and widowed, she came from Shroton and moved down to Dorchester where she met Tom and married him but she died five years later.

"Her only daughter came down with her and she also married a soldier."

Mr Gawler said the memorial would not have been possible without the help and co-operation of Mr Holmes and said the tablet was a fitting tribute.

He said: "It looks very nice and at least she has not been forgotten. Tom and Amelia are remembered now but it is not the end of the story. We are hoping to find out more about them and this is just another step along the way."