BLAENAU Gwent AM Alun Davies is calling on the public to send in information for the Blaenau Gwent Remembers site.

Mr Davies launched the new website in November which features stories of local people who served during the First World War, pictures, first-hand accounts from the frontline, newspaper cuttings, war memorials and plaques.

Since the launch, a number of people from all over the UK and as far afield as Canada have contacted Mr Davies with their family history

Mr Davies is now appealing for members of the public to send in as much information as possible on family members from the borough that they would like to add to the site.

The aim is to create a site documenting the sacrifices of those from Blaenau Gwent that people can use as a reference tool for years to come.

Although a lot of research is being undertaken by Mr Davies’ office, he needs the support of people from the area to supply information too.

He said: “So far the support has been fantastic and the stories that have been sent in are fascinating, but we need to keep the ball rolling.

“Why not make researching your First World War family history your New Year’s resolution and help preserve our history for years to come.”

An example of a case study recently sent in comes from Don Bearcroft of Abertillery and District Museum Society.

The case study provides information on James Henry Finn, VC, a Cornishman who came to work in Cwmtillery Colliery. His name is commemorated on the Roll of Honour of the Abertillery Salvation Army in which he served and in whose band he played the base drum.

He was born November 24 1893 at St Clements in Truro, Cornwall and when he was young the family moved to Downing Street, in Bodmin, Cornwall. Finn served for a short period as a Territorial soldier with the 5th Battalion Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry before moving to work as a collier in Cwmtillery. There he resided in Frederick Street, Cwmtillery and spoke in his diary of a girl called "Mary", who appeared to be special.

Early in September 1914 a recruiting office was opened on the surface of Cwmtillery Colliery, catching the men as they started or left their shifts, James Finn being one of these men.

He enlisted in the South Wales Borderers and although his family name was Finn, he was enlisted as Fynn. He was one of the 4th (Service) Battalion South Wales Borderers who landed at Gallipoli on July 15th 1915. Finn was wounded in the knee and chest and invalided back to Britain, but rejoined his battalion the following year. On recovery, he was sent back to Mesopotamia where he served as a servant to Lt. Col. Kitchen. O.C.

l If you have any information that you would like to share with Blaenau Gwent Remembers, email laura.doel@wales.gov.uk, write to Laura Doel, Office of Alun Davies AM, 23 Beaufort Street, Brynmawr, NP23 4AQ or call (01495) 311160.

Check out the site www.blaenaugwentremembers.com or keep up to date on the latest information on facebook.com/BGRemembers or on Twitter @BGRemembers.