About 1,000 crosses were planted at the Sheerness War Memorial to commemorate Islanders killed in conflicts over the past 100 years.

The crosses were placed on the lawn either side of the monument to denote Sheppey soldiers and civilians who have died in battles since the First World War.

Those helping put them into the ground included Peter MacDonald, who started the initiative and set-up the Sheppey War Memorial Trust to have a bigger monument built to honour all Islanders killed in conflict.

Each cross is handwritten and includes the name and rank of each fallen soldier or civilian.

Nigel Martin, CEO of Sheppey Matters, which part-funded the project, also attended the planting ceremony.

He said: “Given that Peter MacDonald’s memorial isn’t likely to be built for some years because of the high cost, the crosses are a simple way of acknowledging those who gave their lives but aren’t recognised on the current memorial.

“Peter did all the research on this, but it’s possible there may still be some names yet to be recorded and that should be included on the new memorial.”

• If you know of anyone whose name is still to be recorded, pleas call Nigel at Sheppey Matters on 01795 583547.

Commemorations will also be held in the following places:

• Sheerness War Memorial, 10.40. Service at 11am followed by parade through the town.
• Minster Abbey, 10.45am. A Remembrance service with The Rev Tim Hall.
• Holy Trinity Church, Queenborough, 10.45am. Parish Eucharist service in church and laying of wreaths at war memorial at 11am. The Rev Dr Barbara Durkan is officiating.
• All Saints’ Church, Eastchurch, 10am parish eucharist and 10.50am service of remembrance followed by wreath laying and Act of Remembrance at the Lychgate. The Rev Chris Shipley will officiate.
• Lychgate, Leysdown, 2pm. Act of Remembrance taken by The Rev Chris Shipley.
• War grave, Harty, 3pm. Service and Act of Remembrance by The Rev Chris Shipley.
• On Armistice Day (Tuesday) The Rev Colin Johnson leads a service at the Sacrificial Cross in Halfway Cemetery at 11am. The Mayor of Swale and members of the Sheerness Royal British Legion will be in attendance.