THE centenary of the First World War is grabbing people’s imaginations and boosting numbers attending a poignant remembrance service.

Organisers of the Turning the Pages ceremony say attendance at their quarterly memorial events is increasing as the 100th anniversary approaches.

Five names of local soldiers from each of the Queen’s Own Oxfordshire Hussars and the Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, who fought and died in each of the world wars, are read out, totalling 20 names. The next ceremony at Christ Church Cathedral in St Aldate’s takes place tomorrow at 11am.

Organiser Colonel Mike Vince former commandant of the Bucks Army Cadet Force, said: “We’ve had more people attending. It’s quite a poignant moment that we’re commemorating the 100 years of the First World War, and a lot of people are researching their family histories.”

The ceremony, which is held four times a year and began in 1996, usually attracts just 30 to 40 people. But numbers are starting to swell.

At its peak, on November 11’s Remembrance Day, up to 150 people congregated at the cathedral’s military chapel.

Little is known about the names on the lists, and organisers are always keen to hear from friends and family of the Fallen. Members of the soldiers’ families are welcome to attend.

Buglers from the Oxfordshire Army Cadet Force will play at the ceremony, including the Last Post and the Reveille.

Names to be read out tomorrow

Queen’s Own Oxfordshire Hussars

  • First World War

Charles James Partridge
Raymond Payne
Albert James Podbury
Ernest Harold Price
Richard Cecil Quinion
s Second World War
George Cross
Bernard Austin Freeman
James Gee
Victor Lewis Green
Richard Cecil Brooke Greville
Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire
Light Infantry

  • First World War

Rosslyn Curzon Evelegh
Christopher Fowler Murphy
Arthur Richard Allsworth
Thomas Bates
Alfred Day

  • Second World War

Robert Howard
Harold Kirkby
William Frederick Price
Cecil Walter Thomas
William Wickson