THE family of a fallen First World War soldier from Shrivenham are being sought so his grave can finally be commemorated.

George William Hick, a gunner in the Royal Garrison Artillery, is on the War Memorial in Shrivenham Churchyard but a grave has not been found for him.

It is thought he suffered gas poisoning and was then buried in Shrivenham on April 28, 1918, aged 23.

Thanks to lengthy research by volunteer history group Finding The Forgotten, he will now be commemorated with a Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) gravestone and added to the National Role of Honour.

When history author Richard Broadhead, who carries out research for Finding The Forgotten, visited Shrivenham Churchyard, the grave of the young soldier could not be found.

Descendants of the family are now being sought to try to discover the grave and allow it to be commemorated.

Mr Broadhead said: “It is quite a sad story in this case because after only 100 years the grave cannot be found. There is no grave marker so we do not know where the grave is.

“Basically the War Graves Commission will commemorate him but we can’t find the grave.

“We are looking for anyone who may know where the grave stone is so he can get the recognition he deserves.”

Mr Broadhead, 47, of Hilmarton, said in every town cemetery in the country there are between five and 10 servicemen from the First World War who have not been commemorated.

Finding The Forgotten has found five other servicemen - Private Albert Fry of Hullaving-ton, Private Frederick George Kyte of Bradford-upon-Avon, Private Donald March of Redlynch, Lance Corporal John Martin of Devizes and Cadet Reginald Walter Sloper of Devizes – who are also due to be commemorated.

The group’s case study research, which aims to ensure those who have been overlooked get the tribute they deserve, is passed on to the CWGC, which then forwards it to the Ministry of Defence for confirmation.

The CWGC have confirmed they now have Gunner Hick on their records and steps will be taken to ensure he is commemorated.

If you have any information on Gunner Hick, or to pass on details about service personnel who have not been commemorated, call Mr Broadhead on 07788 563444 or email enquires@wiltshiresoliders.co.uk.