AN author and historian has pieced together the forgotten stories behind the names featured on the Lostock and Chemical Works war memorials.

Tony Davies, from Tabley, has published his latest book entitled 'The lads from the Lostock area who never came home'.

Tony's keen interest in the subject has lead him to previously publish a variety of books focusing on the First World War and the men who never came home, including those who lived in Tabley and Great Budworth.

He is currently researching the 400 plus men from Northwich who fell in the war between 1914 and 1919 and he is still looking for anyone who has any information, medals or photographs to share.

"The Lostock book covers the memorial in the church yard and the chemical works," Tony explained.

"I endeavoured to find out how old the men were, where they lived and with who, what they and their father did for a living prior to the war and if they were killed in action.

"I searched for the battalion war diary to see what was happening on that day."

Tony said researching these men and their lives had its limitations.

Speaking of the challenges he encountered, Tony said: "If they died of wounds then that could have been any time so there is no date to research.

"Again if they 'died' – that probably meant from disease so again, no date to fall back on.

"We only have 25 per cent of their records remaining, as the rest were destroyed by bombing during the Second World War."

Tony is donating all profits from the sale of his latest book to the Poppy Appeal.

If anyone would like a copy of the book, or has any information – especially medals and photographs – of the men who were from Northwich and died during the war, contact tony@tonydavies.me.

Tony's wealth of knowledge and his passion for history means he has given many interactive history talks.

He has featured on both The History and Yesterday Channels and appeared at numerous re-enactment events and spoken in a large number of schools.