FOR the first time the gallant servicemen from Upton who lost their lives in the Great War have been honoured in their own town.

At a poignant ceremony on Armistice Day, a wreath of red poppies was laid on a newly engraved plaque in Poole Road, recording 26 men from Upton and Lytchett Minster who lost their lives during the First World War.

The plaque was provided by Upton in Bloom, whose chairman and town mayor, Cllr June Richards, laid the wreath after prayers by the Rev Howard Page-Clark, assistant minister at Lytchett Minster Parish Church and St Dunstan’s Upton, and two minutes silence.

“The names of the fallen of our town are on the war memorial of the church at Lytchett Minster,” said Cllr Richards.

“There was nothing at Upton to commemorate the fallen. We thought this would be a good day to do this.”

It was one of three commemorations unveiled around Upton Cross.

Lytchett Matravers sculptor Judy Monk created a Maltese stone sculpture honouring all who died during the 1914-1918 conflict, which has been set into the side of the clock tower.

Depicting soldiers going over the top with bayonets drawn, a biplane overhead and Union Flag flying, it took her three months from inception to the finished sculpture and she donated her time free.

“I was pleased to do it for Upton, she said. “Using Maltese stone gave a sepia look to it, rather than the white of Purbeck stone. When the sun is on it, it comes alive.”

She added that she was going to design and carve a stone commemorating the Second World War for the other side of the clock tower, which would feature local Royal Marines.

The third article of remembrance was a bench placed near the library portraying soldiers and poppies. Upton community groups are each donating £20 towards the £600 cost.