An appeal to trace the names of a village's war dead has been launched after it emerged several are missing from its memorial.

Research conducted into the 150-plus names inscribed on the 80-year-old monument in Woodville's High Street has found that some are misspelled and up to six people are missing.

The errors have come to light as part of a project to develop a commemorative garden on the site of a near-derelict graveyard behind the nearby Methodist Church with a new war memorial as its centrepiece. Swadlincote and District Royal British Legion chairman Stuart Allen, who has exposed several errors and omissions during his work, is now keen for relatives and friends of forgotten fallen heroes to come forward to ensure they can be permanently honoured on the new memorial.

He said: "I started researching names for a book we're writing in connection with a heritage project and I discovered that one or two were printed wrongly. We can prove that from service records.

"I did more research and found names missing — one was an Indian-born lieutenant commander who had the DSO (Distinguished Service Order) and DSC (Distinguished Service Cross) medals, but he wasn't on the memorial.

"I accept he could be on a memorial somewhere else if his family moved away after his death, but he was a resident of Woodville and I, for one, think he should be honoured. I know there are others missing as well."

Anyone with information about war heroes to be included on the monument is urged to contact Mr Allen by telephoning 01283 218177, or by e-mailing him at esallen@jamesstreetl02.freeserve.co.uk before February 10.

Burton and South Derbyshire Advertiser, Wednesday January 18, 2006