AFTER researching their family history, a Girvan couple, are creating a project to remember the fallen of the Great War.

Ritchie Conaghan and his wife Lorna run the Girvan and District Great War Project Facebook page. They are gathering the names of those who died and not honoured on a war memorial. 

Ritchie said: “My mum lives in Colmonell and suggested back in 2014 we take on a project to remember those who gave their lives in the First World War.

“We had been doing some research into the family history and thought why not do something a bit different. We found out the names of men who had died in Colmonell. There were only 35 names on the war memorial but 49 names on the Church Roll of Honour.

“There were two names on headstones that are not mentioned on either the memorial or church roll and one name that is not mentioned anywhere, so in total we have 52 ‘fallen’ men for Colmonell. 

“We have included all the names not mentioned on the war memorial, as is only right. We have donated the book to the village for future generations. 

“Barr village was next and had 14 names on the war memorial and only one who was not mentioned, but was mentioned on a headstone in the village churchyard. All 15 names have been researched and added to the book. We have donated the book to the village for future generations and is available to see in the coffee shop at Barr.

“We have completed Girvan High School Memorial Board which has 102 names and are currently researching Girvan War Memorial which has 160 names on it, and already we are seeing a pattern form. Names on this and not on that and headstones at the Doune Cemetery that are not mentioned anywhere.”

Ritchie and Lorna want to get the schools involved in the initiative and encourage pupils to create their own poppy to be worn at a ceremony this remembrance day.

Ritchie added: “The main idea is to make sure these men are remembered. Kids are growing up and don’t know what WW1 is and we want to make sure they are never forgotten .”