A writer has traced the stories behind 43 names listed on a Weymouth war memorial.

Charlie Owen asked readers of The West Dorset Magazine to help locate family members of the fallen from both world wars and the Falklands.

They were commemorated on a monument built over 100 years ago in the graveyard of St Andrew’s Church, Sutton Poyntz.

Now Charlie has gathered the biographies of all the men – and one woman.

Elizabeth Harrison wanted to accompany her 18-year-old younger brother, who had been called up and was heading to the front.

She joined the Queen Alexandra nursing service with her sister, nursing soldiers during the First World War, but sadly became a victim of the influenza epidemic and died at home in Sutton Poyntz.

Charlie has gathered all the stories into a book, Sleep On, Dear Harold.

The title comes from the gravestone inscription of Sergeant Harold Guppy, who died in Palestine during the First World War.

All proceeds from book sales will go towards the war memorial restoration fund.

An ex-soldier turned military grave restorer will clean the memorial and donations are being sought for this, as well as future maintenance. Plus, two names will finally receive the decorations they were owed.

Hugh Woollatt was awarded the Military Cross after the Resistance helped him escape a POW camp with Airey Neave before his death in Normandy in 1944.

John Murray Sephton, the village’s Falklands casualty, will also have his Distinguished Service Cross added, decades after the sinking of HMS Ardent. A special Remembrance Sunday event is being planned, with relatives of the named men hoped to attend.

Donations can be made by bank to: Preston & Sutton Poyntz Parochial Church Council, sort code 40-46-23, account number 31252399 and use the reference ‘War Memorial’.

Please download and fill in the Gift Aid form – this ensures your donation will be worth 25% more to St Andrew’s Church, at no extra cost to you.

Email the form to charlie.owen602@gmail.com