A service is to be held at the end of the month to remember those who lost their lives in brutal conflict 100 years ago during the First World War.

Passchendaele was the third battle of Ypres, Sittingbourne’s twin town in Belgium, and, according to a project by the Historical Research Group of Sittingbourne (HRGS), 76 men from the area lost their lives.

The fighting took place in the summer and autumn of 1917. It saw a large number of Royal Navy servicemen take part in land-based warfare, including troops from the 63rd Royal Naval Division.

One of them was the grandfather of 81-year-old Jim Grieve, who lives in Prince Charles Avenue, Sittingbourne.

Captain William Cole was part of the 63rd division and survived the battle, having already fought in conflicts in Gallipoli and Antwerp.

He joined The Buffs in 1893, serving in the Boer War in South Africa, before leaving to join the Royal Navy as a stoker until 1909.

He left, but was recalled to join the First World War efforts in 1914.

Captain Cole was even awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for his efforts in Antwerp by King George V.

Mr Grieve, a former serviceman himself having taken part in battles including the 1956 Suez landings, Siam, and Siberia, said: “He didn’t used to say a lot about the war, none of them did."

The remembrance service, organised by the Sittingbourne and Milton branch of the Royal British Legion (RBL) and HRGS, will be on Sunday, July 30, at 10.45am. Anyone is welcome to attend.

“You can only get an idea of what they went through from films.” - Jim Grieve

Held at the war memorial on Central Avenue, it will be led by Royal British Legion chaplain Pat Tatchell, whose grandfather also fought in and survived Passchendaele.

Invited dignitaries include Deputy Lieutenant of Kent Paul Auston and the Mayor of Swale, Cllr Colin Prescott.

Dave Powell, RBL branch secretary, said the names of the 76 men from the Sittingbourne area who died would be read out at the service.

“As far as we know, they have never been mentioned here,” he added. “So, as it’s the 100th anniversary, we thought it would be good to remember them.”