HONOUR should be paid to Dorchester's Crimean War hero by displaying a scroll in the town's council chamber, claims former soldier Leslie Phillips.

The former mayor of Dorchester - and ex-Household Cavalry soldier - urged Dorchester Town Council colleagues to mark the gratitude owed to Trooper Thomas Warr.

Trooper Warr survived the Charge of the Light Brigade but his long life ended in poverty in Dorchester, Coun Phillips told members at a meeting in the council chamber in the Corn Exchange.

He added: "We can help put right something from 100 years ago.

"I'd like to see an illuminated scroll in those glass cases in front of me."

And he also called for another Dorset hero to be honoured - Samuel Vickery, who received the Victoria Cross for his actions in a campaign in India in 1897.

The soldier was the only member of the Dorsetshire Regiment to receive the VC and a service was held at Dorchester's Borough Gardens in October to pay tribute to him.

Trooper Warr was also honoured in October when a service was held at St Peter's Church followed by a procession to St George's Church at Fordington where he was buried in an unmarked pauper's grave in 1916, now identified by a new plaque at the church.

Coun Phillips said: "I would like to see these two brave men honoured in Dorchester."

Members agreed, but wondered if there were others too.

Coun Trevor Jones said: "I think we need to pause. There may be other claimants.

"We had an incident a few years ago when names were added to the cenotaph and it caused bad feeling.

"Perhaps we should let it lie on the table for a little while and see if any other names come forward."

He added: "I'd never heard of Trooper Warr until a few weeks ago."

Mayor of Dorchester Robin Potter said: "We do want to honour these two brave man and more that anyone may come across so that their names could be added to a scroll."

Members agreed to ask the council's policy committee to look into the suggestion.