Veterans in Devizes are calling on townspeople to help honour the war dead by finding the names of local servicemen killed in action during and after the Second World War.

The war memorial in Long Street only has the names of the 196 servicemen who lost their lives during the First World War.

There are plaques commemorating the Second World War and for those who died in conflicts since 1945 but no names.

The plea to remedy this situation came from the Devizes branch of the Royal British Legion at the same time as world leaders gathered in Normandy on Saturday to commemorate the 65th anniversary of the D-Day landings.

The RBL is appealing for help in finding the names of those killed since 1939.

Bob Shergold, 75, vice president of Devizes RBL and whose idea it was, said: “I think it’s right that these brave servicemen should be remembered with their names on the war memorial. Everyone I have spoken to thinks it’s a good idea.

“People under the age of 70 might not remember the Second World War but people are aware of the conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq and we have seen the large numbers of people who turn out to mark the homecoming of dead servicemen and women when they are driven through Wootton Bassett.”

Mr Shergold, a grandfather of Meadow Drive, Devizes, said some towns in the UK had the names of dead servicemen on their war memorials, but it varied across the country.

He said: “I visit France a lot and every little village and small town has a memorial and a commemoration service every weekend.”

Mr Shergold, who served in the RAF for 34 years as an electronics officer, said the RBL understands there could be up to 12 servicemen from Devizes and Roundway who lost their lives in the Second World War.

He is not aware of anyone who has been killed in conflicts since 1945 but would like to hear from people who know of any war dead.

If you can help call Mr Shergold on (01380) 730773.