SOLDIERS from Holmes Chapel who gave their lives in the First World War are being honoured in a series of stories leading up to Remembrance Sunday.

The stories of servicemen from the village are being featured by Holmes Chapel Parish Council on its website and Facebook page, with two articles being added each day.

The articles have been put together by parish council clerk Tina Cartlidge based on information about the servicemen provided by the Holmes Chapel History Society.

One of the stories featured is that of David Elks, who was killed in action on November 1, 1918, only 10 days before the armistic was signed.

David was called up in 1917, and enlisted at Middlewich as a Private into the 2/7th Battalion of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment.

In October 1918 he was in hospital being treated for from gas poisoning he had suffered during battles in France and Flanders.

He was killed in action in France on November 1, 1918, and was finally buried in Valenciennes Communal Cemetery, having been removed from Artres British Cemetery on November 6, 1920.

This cemetery contained the graves of 32 soldiers of the 61st (South Midland) Division, who died on November 1, 1918, one of who was David Elks, who received the Victory Medal and the British War Medal.

As a result of the coronavirus pandemic there will be no Remembrance Sunday parade this year through Holmes Chapel, and a wreath-laying ceremony will take place by invitation only.

Tina said: “Due to the current situation with coronavirus, we are disappointed to have to cancel the usual Remembrance Sunday parade.

“While there will be a socially-distanced wreath-laying ceremony by the war memorial, this will be for invited persons only.

“We would encourage residents to ‘Remember from Home’ the sacrifice made by so many, and observe a two-minute silence at 11am from the safety of their own homes.”

The British Legion has listed different ways in which you can mark Remembrance Sunday by visiting britishlegion.org.uk/get-involved/remembrance

You can also leave a virtual tribute in a 'Virtual Field of Remembrance by visiting britishlegion.org.uk/get-involved/ways-to-give/remember-a-loved-one/virtual-fields-of-remembrance