Around 300 villagers turned out for the unveiling of Goudhurst’s newly renovated war memorial, including descendants of some of the fallen whose names are carved in the stone.

First erected in 1924, it had undergone substantial refurbishment in time for this week’s centenary of the start of the Great War, paid for with £11,000 raised by villagers.

Among those to contribute were Ben, seven, and Matthew Whitely, 10, who each gave all their pocket money.

The ceremony was opened by Goudhurst Parish Council vice-chairman, Cllr Tony Richards, who thanked former vice-chairman, Peter Rolington, for his determination to return it to its former glory and also praised Roger and Gill Joye who painstakingly researched the names of fallen villagers which resulted in new panels being installed.

Col Peter Bishop, a Deputy Lieutenant of Kent, removed a Union flag to unveil it, before the vicar of St Mary’s Church, the Rev Hugo Nelson, conducted a service.

The ragstone memorial originally designed by Hubert Benians was refurbished by Cleverley and Spencer, of Ashford.

The architect's grandson, Tim Benians, was present, as was George Jessel, a Deputy Lieutenant of Kent, whose great grandfather Sir Charles Jessel donated the land for the memorial originally.