YOUNG and old gathered to pay respects to the war dead at Redcar and Cleveland College today (Friday, November 7).

The Remembrance Day centenary was marked by the unveiling of two memorial books featuring details about the lives of every local man who died during the First and Second World Wars.

Work on the books was completed by local historian Peter Chester, Brigadier His Honour Philip Norris and students from the college’s Public Services course, who spent considerable time researching the domestic and military lives of the 103 local men who lost their lives.

Both men are Old Boys of Sir William Turner’s School – the 18th century school that became Redcar & Cleveland College – and members of the Sir William Turner Foundation.

Mr Chester said: “This is more a picture of life than of death, and about remembering those who once lived. The scale of this research is starting to shine a light on those lives.”

Brig Norris said: “We now know these men not just as names, but as stories of endeavour, courage and ultimate sacrifice. Every one of us should be supremely proud and thankful for the sacrifice they all made for us."

Following a service at the college a crowd gathered at the town’s war memorial to lay wreaths, and pay their respects.