IN NOVEMBER the nation will mark the 100th anniversary of the armistice in which the guns finally fell silent and First World War ended.

Although peace negotiations continued for some time afterwards, the German surrender of 1918 signalled the close of hostilities that had cost the lives of 10 million military personnel.

Its anniversary has been marked with great reverence every year since.

Wreaths of poppies, the symbol of remembrance and hope, are placed on memorials.

These range from the tiniest of hamlets through to the mightiest cities of our nation.

The armistice centenary will have added poignance for those in the Stroud Valleys and surrounding areas who had relatives that served and perhaps died in the conflict.

In fact, around 7000 poppies were wrapped around Nailsworth clock tower in an inspired tribute to the fallen.

The War Memorial Clock Tower can be found in George Street, Nailsworth for those who wish to pay their respects.

Many of those who marched out of Britain have faded.

However, much-cherished photographs of those men who marched off to the Flanders and elsewhere in those terrible years before November 11, 1918 remain.

We would like to share those pictures and the stories behind them with our readers, to remind us all of the great sacrifices made on our behalf just three or four generations ago.

We will try to publish all those received in a Stroud News & Journal armistice special in print and online on Thursday, November 8.

So, email a copy of a photo of your relative who served in First World War to sarah.watson@newsquest.co.uk.

Write ‘armistice’ in the subject line.

Please include a picture of yourself or your present family, and include a few words about what your relative did in the war, and your personal tribute to them.

You can also contribute through our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/stroudnews search for #ArmisticeSNJ.