An author is seeking information about men from Ilkley who fought in the world wars.

Richard Thackrah, who lived in Ilkley for many years, is writing a book about the names on the town’s war memorial. He is also keen to find out details of soldiers who survived the wars and returned to Ilkley to continue their lives.

So far, he has gleaned information from newspaper archives and the library, but is now asking for help from residents.

“I’m trying to find out the work of men prior to call-up, where they lived in Ilkley, the year recruited, the theatre of war and where the soldier was injured fatally or instantly killed at the front or another cause of death,” he said.

Mr Thackrah, who lives in Whitby, can be contacted via e-mail at richard@teaching222.fsnet. co.uk