The recently reformed Largs branch of the Royal British Legion are preparing for their first major event in the town, in order to mark the outbreak of the First World War, and are looking for help from readers.

The local branch will be planting poppy crosses in the Largs Haylie Brae Cemetery on Sunday August 3 to mark the 100th anniversary of the Great War.

Great Sacrifice Relatives and friends of the deceased who made the ‘great sacrifice’ in WW1 are invited to the occasion. Legion members and any relatives meet at the cemetery gates a 2.45pm.

There are only eight First World War graves in the local cemetery, and they are: A J Jamieson, a gunner in the Royal Garrison Artillery, aged 29, who died on 3 December 1916, Canadian G Dick, aged 27, a sergeant who died on 12 July 1916, J Campbell, aged 34, a gunner in the Royal Garrison Artillery who died on 23 August 1916, George MacDonald, aged 23, a 2nd lieutenanant serving in the Highland Light Infantry who died on 17 Novmember 1918, R C Davie, Captain in the Royal Army Medical Corps who died on 4 February 1919, J C Figgins, 25, seaman who died on 18 September 1918, Thomas Easson, 39, a private with the Royal Scots Fusiliers, who died on 14 December 1915, and P Mackie, 27, a corporal of horse, with the lifeguards, who died on 21 October 1918.

Largs Royal British Legion secretary Phil Chinery said: “We would very much like to hear from any relatives or friends of the deceased, in order that they can participate on this special day. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission have organised the event nationwide, and we decided we would like to take the opportunity to commemorate the occasion.

Poppy cross “We moved it to the Sunday rather than the anniversary on the Monday as it would be difficult for people to attend because of work. Depending on how many of the branch are there, we are planning to go to all eight graves individually and if there are any relatives, we will give them a poppy cross, and allow them to do their own remembrance. We don’t want it to go unrecorded, and if there are any relatives, it will be a unique occasion for them.

“They are the eight soldiers from the First War that are buried in Largs - if you go to the War Memorial, there are 81 First World soldiers named, and 67 in the Second World War, and how many went out we still don’t know.

“I look at it in two lights. We are commemorating the war to end all wars from 1914-18, and 20 years later, there was another world war, and ever since that year, there has only been one year since 1945 when a service personnel has not been killed in a war.” Next year, the Royal British Legion propose to do a similar anniversary for the 70th anniversary of the end of the Second World War.

Phil explained: “It is the first event where we are going to do something in the community, and we are going to have a stall at the Viking Festival where we will be selling poppy and legion memoribilia, and we are still hoping to rededicate the colours.” For more details about the Royal British Legion, contact Phil on 649323 or mobile 07788 915112.