A FORDINGBRIDGE vicar is paying tribute to each man from the town who died in the First World War, on the 100th anniversary of their deaths.

On Tuesday Canon Gary Philbrick, right, paid tribute to Charles Francis Hall at the Memorial Gates in Ringwood Road.

Hall, known as Frank, was 27 when he died. He was serving with the 1st Battalion First Wiltshire Regiment when he died in action at Flanders, France, on September 16, 1914.

He has no known grave and his name is remembered on the La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial.

Rev Philbrick, who is Priest-in-Charge of Fordingbridge, Breamore and Hale and Woodgreen, and Area Dean of Christchurch, is due to do the same at 11am on Wednesday, October 22 for William St John Coventry and on Friday, October 31 for Arthur Beaven Budgell.

Lt Coventry died aged 21, killed in action while serving with the Bedfordshire Regiment. He was mentioned in dispatches.

Lance Corporal Budgell died aged 20 while serving with the 2nd Dragoon Guards and was buried at Ypres.

Canon Philbrick will read a short summary of the known facts of the men’s lives, hold a two-minute silence and short prayers.

Over the next five years Canon Philbrick will do this for each person on the war memorials either at the Memorial Gates or in St Mary’s Church in Fordingbridge.

All are welcome to come to honour those who have died in war.

Canon Philbrick said: “We wanted to remember each person who died in the First World War individually by name, honouring them and hearing a little of their story.

“Everyone is welcome to attend these events.”