POPPY Appeal bosses want to hear from Swindon residents whose relatives served in the First World War.

The families will be invited to a special launch of the Poppy Appeal campaign at the STEAM museum two weeks before Armistice Day on November 11.

Fiona Dobson of the Royal British Legion said: “To mark the final year of the First World War centenary, we are inviting the public to take part in a movement to say ‘thank you’ to the generation who served, sacrificed and changed our world.”

Almost 25,000 employees of the Great Western Railway served in the First World War, with more than one in 10 never making it home.

“At Paddington Station, one of the country’s finest war memorials is situated alongside the GWR Roll of Honour,” Ms Dobson said.

“Many other memorials and Rolls of Honour were installed at stations and workshops across the GWR network, with many still in situ at STEAM today.

“For example, there is a small wooden plaque from G Shop which lists two employees and there is a brass tablet remembering the 65 men from Nos. 3, 15, 18 and 19d Shops who lost their lives.”

Ms Dobson said she hoped 12 relatives of GWR employees who fought in the First World War would come forward to be guests of honour at the STEAM Poppy Appeal launch. She appealed for families to share their relative’s story: “What is the story of your GWR ancestor?”

To share your story, contact Fiona Dobson by calling 01249 783651 or email fdobson@britishlegion.org.uk.