A MEMORIAL commemorating Stratford soldiers who died in the first world war was installed in a new home at the weekend after it spent years hidden away.

The magnificent carved oak tribute was rededicated in its new home at Stratford Cemetery Chapel by vicar of Stratford, the Rev Peter Holliday with guests including the Lord Lieutenant of Warwickshire Martin Dunne and members of Stratford's Royal British Legion and The Western Front Association.

The memorial, containing the names of hundreds of soldiers from the Stratford area, was discovered under the stage at Holy Trinity parish hall, where it was left after it was removed from its former home at the old St James's Church in Guild Street, which was closed in 1968.

The huge wooden memorial, which measures six feet by five feet, was discovered by Gordon Rae of Warwick Court, Stratford who is the chairman of the Birmingham branch of the Western Front Association. Mr Rae, who is also a volunteer at the National Inventory of War Memorials at the Imperial War Museum, discovered the memorial existed through the register and set about finding it and returning it to a proper place.

After contacting the town council, a home was found at the cemetery chapel - the only place big enough to house the memorial - by coun Clive Thomas, a member of the Royal British Legion.

"I can't describe how I felt when I saw the memorial stuck in that cellar," said Mr Rae. "I was overwhelmed to see it re-dedicated. It was a very emotional occasion."

He added: "I hope this will be permanent as it is vital for everyone, however young, to remember those who died for us in what was probably the worst war ever."