CHILDREN read out the names of Handforth’s First World War fallen at Friday’s unveiling of a plaque at the community’s war memorial.

The plaque has been installed in the walkway leading to the memorial, and is a replica of a 1918 First World War Dead Man’s Penny, with ‘Handforth Village 1918-2018’ moulded onto it instead of a soldier’s name.

The Dead Man’s Penny would have been awarded to the fallen soldier’s family - its modern-day equivalent being the Elizabeth Cross.

The solid bronze plaque and the money for it was raised by Captain Anthony Harrison, from Handforth, who also raised the funds for the war memorial, which was unveiled in 2016.

The funds to pay for the penny came from the community of Handforth from fundraising events, and in the lead-up to Remembrance Sunday Cpt Harrison gave assemblies to all local primary schools about the First World War and Handforth’s role in the conflict.

Students from Wilmslow Grange Primary School, which Cpt Harrison attended, read out the names of Handforth’s fallen at the plaque unveiling.

Among the guests were Cheshire Lord Lieutenant David Briggs and MP Esther McVey. Cpt Harrison is a battery captain in the 103rd Regiment Royal Artillery Reserves.