THE life of a First World War fighter is the latest in a line of fallen men from one County Durham town to be individually honoured.

An ongoing project spanning the centenary of the four-year war began in Sedgefield in 2015 when the first of its 42 soldiers who paid the ultimate sacrifice was remembered.

On the 100th anniversary of Robert Ruddick’s death, organisers Sedgefield Local History Society and Sedgefield Village Veterans gathered with local dignitaries to commemorate his life and service.

In the last three years they have continued to do so for the dozens of others whose names can be found on the town’s war memorial and on Monday they will meet again to pay tribute to George Roper.

Norma Neal, of the history society, said: “By investigating we feel as though we’ve brought them back to life and have celebrated them. It’s been a really powerful thing to do.

“We wanted to do something about the First World War and we knew there were a lot of names on our war memorial, which was put up in 1921, paid for by the public.

“On the back of the war memorial there is a verse which is to the effect of remembering not in sorrow, but in pride.

“So while we feel sad for their loss we feel pride for their bravery.”

Born in Sedgefield in 1895 to Benjamin and Isabella Roper, Mr Roper was one of five children.

The family lived in North End and the brave soldier enlisted at Deaf Hill on May 11, 1915, at just 20 years old.

He served in the 19th Battalion of the Durham Light Infantry - the same as fellow Sedgefield soldier John Welford, whose life was commemorated in March - and died at the age of 23.

He is remembered at Hedauville, France, the namesake of a poem to be read by Mrs Neal at the St George’s Day service, to be attended by his relatives.

Since 2015 the history society and veterans have marked the deaths of 35 soldiers from the town, including eight on the anniversary of the Battle of the Somme in July, 2016.

A further six memorials are to take place, culminating in the last in December for Richard Robinson, who moved to the far East and became a victim of the flu pandemic.

“A lot of what we do (as a history group) relates to the people of Sedgefield, the ordinary people,” added Mrs Neal. “A lot of investigation and research has gone into it and it’s all been very worth while. In a way I’ll be sad when it finishes.”

An exhibition commemorating all 42 men will take place in Ceddesfeld Hall on November 17 and 18.

An information folder, entitled In Memoriam, will be available to order.

The short service on Monday will take place at Sedgefield War Memorial at 10.45am.