A SPECIAL remembrance service is being held to honour 62 forgotten Widnes war heroes.

The men fell in the First World War but were not listed on the town’s existing monument.

The omission was discovered by Michael McNicholas whilst he was researching a book to commemorate the centenary of the Great War.

He has meticulously traced each man’s story and travelled all over the world to capture photographs of their war graves.

Widnes-born Mr McNicholas, aged 64, a retired ICI engineer, said: “I think it is fitting that we now honour these men and remember the sacrifices that they’ve made.

“Researching the details of these men has been a mammoth task.

“I have travelled all over Europe and made contact with people as far away as Canada and Australia.

“These brave lads were all born in Widnes.

“They weren’t recognised as much as they should have been.”

The service will be held at 12 noon on Saturday, March 7 at a ceremony in Victoria Park.

A new memorial stone and metal plaque will be unveiled, funded by Halton Council and Suttons Group.

The Lord Lieutenant of Cheshire David Briggs will join the Mayor of Halton, Cllr Shaun Osborne, civic dignitaries, John Sutton, chief executive officer of Suttons Group, the Royal British Legion and Royal Artillery Association to march from the bandstand to the cenotaph, led by parade marshall Colin Burgess.

The event has been organised by Harry Davies Mr McNicholas, who leads battlefield tours, added: “There are lots of stories of the braveness of these men.

“I have travelled extensively with my wife, Rose, and a group of people to take photographs of their headstones.

“It has been very enlightening. I’ve loved every minute.

“Remembrance Day is a time for us to reflect and remember the sacrifices made both in the past and in current conflicts.

“At this service our thoughts will be with those brave men who until now have never been honoured for their sacrifice.”