THE CENTENARY of the outbreak of the First World War and those who served in the conflict will be remembered by Gloucestershire County Council.

Councillors have passed a unanimous motion to pay tribute to everyone who played a part in the war and in particular, local people.

The council agreed to support centenary celebrations on Monday, to be led by Lord Lieutenant, Dame Janet Trotter DBE.

District councils, schools and community groups will also be encouraged to apply for a grant from the Heritage Lottery to support local centenary celebrations.

In addition, GCC will reach out to veterans and their families to thank them and pay tribute to the charities that help members of the armed forces and their families in Gloucestershire.

Councillors also agreed to join the First World War Centenary Partnership, a network of over 1,800 local, regional, national and international cultural and education organisations led by the Imperial War Museums.

Councillor Paul McMahon (Lab) who proposed the motion, said: “It’s especially important that we tell Gloucestershire’s children and young people of the sad realities of war and the need to try and ensure it does not happen again.”

Cllr Mark Hawthorne, leader of Gloucestershire County Council (Cons), said: “It’s our duty to remember the sacrifice that people made for us and never forgotten.”

Cllr John Cordwell (Lib Dem), said: “This is something that’s close to many of our hearts. My own father and two brothers were all involved in the First World War – as were many of the relatives of our community. It’s important that we all remember.”