A SPECIAL book honouring those who fought in the Second World War has been revealed ahead of its publication next month.

Staff from Swindon Libraries’ Local Studies team have painstakingly spent the past two years trawling through newspaper archives, parish magazines and local history books to produce the Roll of Honour, commemorating those who died during WW2, those who were POWs and those who received gallantry medals.

Although Swindon, like many towns, has a Roll of Honour for those who died in the First World War, nothing was ever commissioned locally after 1945.

The book will be officially launched to the public on Saturday, December 9 at the Central Library, and the Adver has been granted a sneak peak.

Katherine Cole, Local Studies officer, said: “I’m really looking forward to the book’s publication on Saturday 9th.

“It’s something that is very timely and, I think, hugely important.

“I have spent the last two years creating it and it is our way of paying tribute to all those people who lost their lives in the Second World War.”

Earlier this month, Remembrance services all across the town were very well attended, suggesting there is a widespread desire to treasure the memories of those who gave their lives in conflict.

Katherine is sure the book will prove popular among locals, especially as so many people had relatives fight in the war.

Katherine added: “The project started after someone asked me if I knew how many men from Swindon had died in the Second World War. I couldn’t find a record anywhere so I thought it would be interesting to compile my own list.

“I didn’t think it would take this long, but it has been truly fascinating. The list keeps on growing and we managed to find details of one of our colleague’s relatives.”

More than 1,000 entries have been recorded with well over 600 service personnel now listed. The list also includes more than 200 prisoners of war and 135 servicemen who were awarded gallantry medals.

Coun Mary Martin, Swindon Borough Council’s cabinet member for communities and place thanked Katherine for her dedication to the task and described the Roll of Honour as “a fitting tribute to Swindon’s war dead”.

The Local Studies team is located on the Second Floor of the Central Library. To contact the team either visit them at the library or email: localstudies@swindon.gov.uk.