But one Baptist Church in Huddersfield has marked the centenary of the beginning of the Great War of 1914 to 1918 with a pack of information and a website that reveals the people behind the names.

For the last year church member Anne Cass has been researching the 14 names on the Great War memorial in New North Road Baptist Church.

This research has resulted in the production of a series of stories and pictures that remind us that every name is that of a man who went to war and didn’t return – each one a man with family, with loves and dreams, and many of them people of faith.

The stories behind the names have been presented in an attractive format for church visitors to read and have also formed a new section of the church website where they can be read by people all over the world.

It is anticipated that will generate interest from those who are researching their family history as well as those with a more casual interest in the war.

As well as a brief history of each person, relevant parts of the church magazine from the time of the Great War are included. Later in the year the material will be supplemented with the story of how the women of the church supported the war effort, and any new information that comes to light.

Minister at New North Road church the Revd Wayne Clarke said he thought this new resource would help people to think and pray as the nation marked 100 years since the Great War began.

'We are not glorying in war', he said, 'but we are encouraging a new awareness of the real-life stories behind the news, stories of courage and also of faith and devotion.'