THE first in a sea of thousands of wooden crosses have been put in place as a poignant tribute to the fallen takes shape.

The annual Field of Remembrance, made up of crosses each inscribed with a personal message to commemorate a life lost in service of the country, will be formally dedicated in a service at Saltwell Park, in Gateshead today.

Among the volunteers planting the first crosses on Friday was Mike Wilson, whose identical twin brother was killed in 2008 while serving in Iraq.

A dedication service will be held at 10.45am, followed by a two-minute’s silence, after which service personnel representing the RAF, Army and the Royal Navy will place their own remembrance cross in the field.

It will then be open to the public from dawn to dusk each day until Monday, November 14.

Members of the public who want to dedicate their own memorial can pick up a wooden cross from Gateshead Civic Centre from next week or go online at britishlegion.org.uk/dedicate.

The Gateshead Field of Remembrance is one of six in the country and the only one in the North of England.

Marcus Hawthorn, Royal British Legion area manager for the North-East, said: “The service is an opportunity for the public to pay their respects and also reflect on the sacrifices made by so many men and women who gave their lives for the freedom we enjoy today.

“In this poignant year which marks the centenary of the First World War, we hope more people across the North-East will visit our Field and pay tribute to those we must never forget.”

Mayor of Gateshead, Cllr Alison Thompson, added: “It is a huge privilege for Gateshead to host the Field of Remembrance and honour the brave men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

“This is always a hugely emotional occasion. Being a part of this tribute means so much to so many people, particularly those who have lost loved ones.”