A crowdfunder has been launched to add forgotten names from The Great War to Macclesfield Cenotaph, including women.

Thanks to eight years of work led by Macclesfield military historian and author Harry Carlisle, 53 forgotten names have been identified from WW1 that should be on Macclesfield Cenotaph, including the names of 3 women, who will be the first female names when they are added.

The project is supported by Cheshire East Council, Macclesfield RBL and Cllr Ashley Farrall, but needs public donations to make the missing names a reality on the Park Green place of Remembrance.

According to the crowdfunder, "The Council have been quoted close to £11,000 by its procured contractors."

Mr Carlilse and Cllr Farrall are pictured second from left and far right respetively. (Image - Cllr Ashley Farrall)

"Unfortunately, there isn't any budget for this as there is only a budget for cleaning and maintenance, though we could be match funded by Cheshire East Council through the Crowd Fund.

"So this is left to us to raise the money which will add the names of 53 local people to the Cenotaph, including the first 3 women. These are all people who may have relatives or friends of relatives still living in Macclesfield today and their sacrifice should be respected on the Cenotaph. Lest we forget!

"These names are of people who have living relatives or friends of relatives still living in Macclesfield today. They should be recognised on the Cenotaph and respected as all the other people who lost their lives during WW1. This will add significantly local and historical interest."

Macclesfield Cenotaph will turn 101 this September. (Image - Alexander Greensmith / Macclesfield Nub News)

Professional memorial technicians will be hired, should the Macclesfield fundraising campaign meet the goal.

Former Mayor and Macclesfield Town Cllr Janet Jackson MBE has made a huge £1060 donation.

Furthermore, Macclesfield Central Labour Town Councillor Sandy Livingstone has donated £300.

Famous local democracy champion Jackie Weaver has even shown her support.

The crowdfunder will cease at the end of June. (Image - Cllr Ashley Farrall)

And you can donate by clicking on this link.

£1,619 of the £11,685 goal has been pledged so far, with 41 days to go as of publication.

Cheshire East's Armed Forces Champion and Macclesfield Central resident Ashley Farrall was told there wasn't a budget, so decided to use the council's own crowdfunding website.

Cllr Farrall said: "I was disappointed to learn that there wasn't a budget for this work in the facilities department,

but rather than moan about it I set about working on ways to raise the money. 

The names will only be added if the full fundraising goal is met. (Image - Cllr Ashley Farrall)

"It's very important to me that these heroes are properly remembered on the Cenotaph and I'm sure we can easily 

raise the money for them." 

Harry Carlise added: "Over the years of research it had become obvious that a number of names were missing. 

"It has been a labour of love that I will be proud to see finished if we can raise the money needed.

"These are names of local people that are entitled to be named on the cenotaph" 

Macclesfield RBL said "One of the pillars of the RBL is to remember all who die, whist in or as part of service. 

"We will be failing in our prime duty not to remember every last man or woman if we do not recognise these people." 

Macclesfield Royal British Legion's Allan Williams and Ex-Mayor Cllr David Edwardes at last year's century celebrations for Macclesfield Cenotaph. (Image - Alexander Greensmith / Macclesfield Nub News)

The campaign will run from until late June, and they must raise all the money for the work to go ahead. 

Macclesfield; You can donate on this link.

The Great War, also known as the First World War, lasted from 1914-1918.

Almost 900 Maxonian's who died in the two World Wars are currently honoured at the Grade-II* listed memorial, which includes a 24ft high pillar.

See Also: Macclesfield Cenotaph remembers our war dead on 100th anniversary

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