Exhibition highlights memorial to those lost in WW1

The names of men who never returned from World War One are at the centre of efforts to bring a little-known memorial back into public view.

The memorial, which commemorates 114 men from Eastville, is housed inside the New Testament Church of God on Fishponds Road and is the focus of a new exhibition aimed at preserving their memory.

The names include several brothers, a former Bristol Rovers footballer and a merchant seaman who was lost when a troop ship was sunk by a German submarine.

"I almost feel as if it's actually forgotten," said parishioner Sharon Francis, who wants people to use the exhibition to discover the stories behind the names.

Made up of two elaborate panels, it was erected in 1921 at a cost of more than £300, a considerable sum at the time.

Francis, who has long admired the memorial, said: "It's hand painted, it's quite lavish and it's huge. The craftsmanship is really nice."

The panels feature St Alban and St George, alongside the names of the men who lost their lives.

Local war historian Jeremy Banning has helped research the stories behind those commemorated.

He added: "Most memorials at that time were sort of wooden panels or pretty simple memorials, and this is really something I haven't seen before, certainly in Bristol.

"It's really elaborate, golds and blues and reds really jumping out, and very ornate stonework. I mean, it's stunning."

The men served in a range of forces, including the Gloucestershire Regiment and Canadian forces. One Bristolian even travelled to Australia to serve.

Banning said: "They are all literally from the streets around here.

"Some would have been neighbours. So the loss that they would have felt within Eastville and all across Bristol is unbelievable."

He thinks the memorial could help reconnect local families with their history.

"There undoubtedly will be families around here who are still in the area, who don't know about this," he said.

Francis said: "We need to remember the names of these brave men."

The exhibition aims to open up the church to the wider community and encourage descendants and local residents to discover the memorial.

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