The result of a remarkable research project was revealed on Sunday, as descendants of victims of the First World War gathered to watch the unveiling of a remembrance wall in The Forum shopping centre

The installation details the names of more than 1,100 people in the Sittingbourne area who died as a result of the conflict.

At six metres by two metres, the Wall of Reflection has been created using research by members and supporters of the Historical Research Group of Sittingbourne (HRGS) over the past six years.

It was unveiled by the Mayor of Swale Cllr Samuel Koffie-Williams, watched by guests, including the group’s president Deputy Lieutenant of Kent Paul Auston, its patron Sir Anthony Cleaver as well as councillors, religious dignitaries and descendants of those who lost their lives a century ago. Volunteers spent hours scouring newspaper files from 1914 to 1918 and beyond, creating a database of victims.

Their painstaking efforts revealed 1,149 names, including one woman, Alice Post from Teynham, who died from TNT poisoning while working at a munitions factory.

As a result of the research, biographies, photographs and documents have come to light adding more details to the victims’ life stories.

A grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund has enabled HRGS to buy an interactive digital touch screen which now shares the information with visitors to the Heritage Hub in The Forum.

Two books have also been written to support the project, both by historian Dr Patrician Bellingham.

A Town at War tells of life on the Home Front in Sittingbourne and Swale Remembers shares the stories of 100 victims from across the borough.

The display will remain in The Forum until Remembrance Sunday, then taken to the Hub opposite..

HRGS chairman Richard Emmett said: “Each of these 1,149 names on the Wall of Reflection represents a person loved and held dear”.

The exhibition will be in place until Monday.