A MOVING ceremony yesterday brought recognition to a number of war dead who had been omitted from a village cenotaph.

Several months ago, to mark the 60th anniversary of the end of the Second World War a research project was launched to track down servicemen killed in action who had not been honoured.

The scheme was funded by the Wheatley Hill Community Partnership and resulted in the uncovering of the names of a number of dead war veterans, as well as those on existing rolls of honour, which have since been inscribed on new tablets of stone.

The tablets have been installed at the village's cenotaph and yesterday, at a ceremony, the community's heroes were remembered at a march past and dedication service.

A total of 15 standards flew at the event and former war veterans, members of Wheatley Hill Royal British Legion, Wheatley Hill Parish Council, representatives from County branches of the RBL, military associations, St John Ambulance, fire and rescue services and local groups and organistions took part in the march and the cenotaph dedication service.

Murton Colliery Band provided music, while a lone piper played a lament and the last post, with reveille being sounded by two buglers from the famous Borneo Band.

Billy Oswald, secretary of the Wheatley Hill Branch of RBL, said the whole project had proved very worthwhile and he revealed that the venture to ensure that the village's war dead were remembered had also attracted nearly £3,000 from the Lottery's Home Front Recall fund.