BOURNEMOUTH will mark the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War by remembering the town’s 1,222 dead.

Jenny Young, Bournemouth historian and a former Westbourne Library manager, began research on the subject in 2014 after finding there were many names missing from Bournemouth council’s book of remembrance.

She said: “I can now confirm that there are 1,222 men who had direct links with Bournemouth and these names will be published in a Centenary Book of Remembrance later this year in association with the Bournemouth Rotary Club, who are also celebrating their centenary in 1918.”

A working group of local historians, councillors and library staff are organising events to mark the centenary.

An exhibition took place recently at Bournemouth Library, showing First World War items with a direct link to the town.

On October 1, there will be a VC Commemoration at Bournemouth Central Gardens War Memorial for Sergeant Frederick Charles Riggs of Capstone Road, Bournemouth. He was wounded at the Battle of the Somme and after a short convalescence in England, returned to France and was killed in October 1918 near Epinoy.

He had already been awarded the Military Medal. The group is appealing for any family members or members of the Burgum family to contact janette.marsh@ntlworld.com or the heritage team at Bournemouth Library on 01202 454844.

On Remembrance Day there will services at 6am, with the original Armistice announcement read, and in the early evening, with a cascade of poppies projected onto the front of the Town Hall and the names of the first and last to die read out.

Lance Corporal Ronald Scott from Pokesdown of the 9th Lancers was killed on the first day of retreat from Mons in 1914 on August 24.

Private Lewis John Bailey from Winton served with the Hampshire Regiment, fighting in the campaign in Mesopotamia against the Turkish Army and died later of his wounds on Armistice Day 1918.

There will be 1,222 poppy crosses planted in front of the Town Hall, representing the fallen men from Bournemouth. They will be put together by local school children.

Any relatives of Lance Corporal Ronald Scott and Private Lewis John Bailey should contact Jenny at Jennifer.young73@tesco.net.

Organisers are keen to hear from anyone with items related to the First World War with a Bournemouth connection – especially related to the Mont Dore Hotel, now the Town Hall, when it was a hospital. Contact the heritage team on 01202 454844.