MORE relatives of First World War soldiers are backing the campaign to have Christ Church graveyard officially signposted.

A few weeks ago, we reported how a group of GCSE students at Whitby High - backed by the Pioneer - are calling for men who died at home from wounds sustained during the 1914-18 war to be acknowledged.

During a research project, the youngsters discovered the old burial ground at the bottom end of the Port contains the graves of 25 First World War casualties but has no standard green Commonwealth War Graves Commission direction sign.

The commission has welcomed the initiative and agreed to look into it.

Ted Roach, chairman of the Ellesmere Port branch of the Royal British Legion, has confirmed he will put forward the suggestion to his committee meeting this month.

Already, the nephew of one of the local heroes - Corporal George Ernest Keates, of the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, who died in 1920, has given his backing to the campaign.

Now more relatives have contacted the Pioneer to say they also support the idea.

Frederick Scott, of Glenwood Road, Little Sutton, brought in a picture of his great-uncle, Private Robert Taylor.

Pvt Taylor came to the Port with his parents, Mr and Mrs D Lepper, from Wolverhampton in the early years of the last century.

He served with the 8th Battalion of the Cheshire Regiment in the Dardenelles, fighting alongside Australian and New Zealand troops against the Turks.

He was wounded and returned home to convalesce, transferring to the Cheshires' 3rd Battalion and becoming an officer's batman.

At the age of 28, Pvt Taylor died from his wounds in his sleep at Chester Castle in January, 1918.

As his family lived in Ellesmere Port, he was buried at Christ Church. His name is recorded in the book of remembrance at Chester Cathedral.

Mr Scott said: 'I very much support the idea of having the graves at Christ Church officially signposted. It is not widely known that it contains the graves of so many First World War soldiers.'

Pamela Beadles, of Grace Road, Ellesmere Port, often visits the grave of her grandfather, Private Jack Ellis, of the King's Liverpool Regiment, at Christ Church - and also believes the graveyard should be officially acknowledged.

Mr Ellis died from pneumonia on August 29, 1918, aged 26.

* Are you related to any of the war heroes buried in the old Christ Church cemetery? If so, call us on 0151 356 2345 or e-mail pioneer@ cheshirenews.co. uk