A KEIGHLEY exhibition is honouring over 100 'forgotten' heroes of the First World War.

The event, at the town's library, is a salute to 102 men and one woman who gave their lives during the conflict.

Their names had been missed from Keighley's roll of honour.

But after years of research by the Men of Worth Project, they will now be included.

And the exhibition is being staged in their honour.

Men of Worth director, Andy Wade, says: "It’s a privilege to have been involved in researching the lives of such gallant and brave men – plus our one woman, Frances Mitchell.

"In 1923-24, a committee decided which names were going on the town memorial. They had some information, but no definitive list of people who had died.

"The Keighley News at that time checked its records and made a list that was displayed publicly. Churches were asked to let their parishioners know about the list and to add names that were missing, but people did get forgotten.

"Our better records now mean we’ve been able to look into people’s stories more comprehensively."

A review panel was set up to examine the connections each person had to Keighley, and decide on their eligibility for inclusion.

The initiative was supported with a National Lottery Heritage Fund grant and funding from Keighley Town Council.

Town mayor Councillor Gulfraz Hussain officially opened the exhibition, which runs until December 6.

Among those who served on the review panel was Keighley East district councillor Caroline Firth.

She says: "The stories of how these brave people died are incredibly tragic.

"Their details have been so well researched and written up by Andy and his team.

"I must admit I shed a few tears and was particularly moved by Pte Thomas Kelk, who was orphaned here in Keighley then shipped off to Canada aged just 13 to carry out farm work in a children’s home. He was effectively a slave before he joined up and was killed.

"Everyone in the town should visit the library to read about how these 103 people gave their lives to secure freedom for others."

The roll of honour book, including the new names, will be unveiled at Keighley Library at 10am on November 9.

Then, on December 7, at noon, an interpretation plaque will be unveiled near the war memorial.

Information about those who died can also be seen at menofworth.org.uk/home/research/special-archives/keighleys-supplementary-volume