THE son of a World War One hero has renewed calls for 17 Millport military heroes to recognised on the island's memorial to the fallen.

Next year is the memorial's centenary - and islander Andy Bryan, the son of a Battle of the Somme survivor blinded by a mustard attack - is driving a campaign to have the names added to those from World War Two.

We first told of the anomaly in 2019 and now there is fresh pressure on North Ayrshire Council to make the changes.

Local historian Ian McIntosh has identified 17 men with local connections who were either born or lived for some or all their lives in Millport, or were related to people who were born or lived on the island.

Andy, 87, said: "We are talking about young lads in their early 20s who laid down their lives so we could have our freedom. We mustn't forget that.

"As we are easing out of the lockdown, we must revisit this.

"I sent a letter to North Ayrshire Council to re-open the conversation and ask if the council can look at it again.

"Ian McIntosh did all the background and produced a booklet about their backgrounds.

"I am sure it would be the same criteria as when the monument went up in 1922."

Andy, who did two years national service and three years in the territorial army, has a close connection with the forces. His father, also called Andy, was blinded by a mustard gas attack in the First World War which left him with only had peripheral vision.

He said: "I was in the army myself and did two years national service and three years in the territorial army.

"My father was blinded by a mustard gas attack in the trenches in the First World War. He survived to tell the tale and came home to the island, although walked into more than one lamppost.

"He had this thing which I always admired in him was he had mind over matter and a sense of humour - there is a lot to be said for that.

"My dad couldn't play bowls or go to the pictures and had to have a big magnifying glass to read his newspapers.

"He never spoke to me about the attack that robbed him of his sight, but he did talk about some of the horrific experiences to my mum. He was a signaller in the Royal Engineers and in those days they were in one regiment."

"A lot of people were killed in the First World War - but a lot of people also came back with life-changing injuries like my father's.

"In the memory of those who died in The Great War I think it is so important that they are recognised."

A North Ayrshire Council spokesperson said: “We appreciate that this is a very sensitive and important issue. The process for adding names to war memorials is that various checks are carried out and the War Memorial Trust approve the proposals.

“As yet we have not received the information required for us to progress the matter but will be happy to do so once we receive this.”