Local historians trying to trace two families on the Hinckley war memorial

They have already found the descendants of three other families.

Local historians and the Royal British Legion are trying to trace the relatives of two Hinckley mothers who each lost three sons in World War One.

They want to trace the descendants of Mary Ann Sharpe and Mary Ann Dixon to invite them to take part in a special ceremony to commemorate the centenary of the war memorial in Hinckley.

Historian Greg Drozdz said: "If we are extremely lucky, someone will know someone, or have a parent, uncle, aunt, grandfather or grandmother who knows someone who knows the families we are searching for. We would love to come in contact with them, so we can invite them to take part in this special commemoration to honour their fallen ancestors."

In November 1921 five Hinckley mothers who had each lost three sons in WWI were invited to be part of a service to lay the foundation stone for the war memorial in Argents Mead. The memorial was officially unveiled and dedicated in May 1922, 100 years ago next month.

Three of the women, Eliza Attenborough, Maria Dalby and Jane Bolesworth, have had their descendants traced and they all still live locally.

They now want the descendants of the two remaining bereaved mothers to come forward after no trace of them could be found.

Mary Ann Dixon's family lived in Upper Bond Street before moving to Coventry Road in the town. Three of her six sons Joseph, Herbert and William Dixon were killed in action in France in 1917 and 1918, leaving three remaining siblings, James, Charles, and George.

Mary Ann Sharpe's family lived in Tan Yard on Druid Street which no longer exists. Brothers Joseph, Walter and William were killed in action between 1915 and 1917 and left four remaining siblings, Libby, Florence, Sidney and Arthur. 

Councillor Danny Findlay, Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council’s Armed Forces Champion, said: " For the purposes of both local historical significance and paying the appropriate respects to these servicemen who paid the ultimate sacrifice for the freedoms we enjoy today, Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council supports the search for the relatives of the serviceman. I would encourage anyone who knows the families to come forward so that we can help make a connection and allow them the opportunity to partake in the centenary in May."

Anyone who can help Mr Drozdz piece together information about the families is asked to contact the Borough Council's Communications team on 01455 238141 or email communications@hinckley-bosworth.gov.uk