We launch new fight to honour our war heroes

Howard Potts and artist Steve Winterburn, of Yorkshire Fine Arts, with a model of the planned Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry memorial

It was an army regiment which saw thousands of Doncaster men fighting under its colours - and today The Doncaster Free Press is signing up to fight to help keep its name alive.

We are launching a campaign to honour the men who fought with the King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry with a memorial to them and their regiment here in Doncaster.

The regimental association - made up of veterans who served in the regiment - wants to build a memorial here, close to the regimental museum at Chequer Road.

But to do that, they need to raise £125,700.

And we are backing their efforts.

So far, they have already got around £25,000 in support for the scheme.

And this week saw the first fundraiser for the appeal held in Doncaster, with an event held at Hyde Park Working Men’s Club boosting the funds.

Over the coming weeks and months we will highlight fundraising events within the borough, as well as hear why former soldiers and their descendants from across the borough would like to see the regiment remembered.

David Wroe, a former soldier from Crowle, near Doncaster, who signed up for the regiment in 1966 said the memorial would represent all who served in the regiment and those who died in its service.

He said Doncaster people had figured large in the history of the regiment, including Sgt Laurence Calvert, from Conisbrough, who was one its its Victoria Cross winners.

The 68-year-old Mr Wroe rose to become a major, before retiring from the army in 2010 after serving in counties including Germany, Malaya and Bosnia.

In 1968 he transferred to the Light Infantry during a reorganisation of the army which saw the regiment become the second battalion of the Ligh Infantry. The Light Infantry itself has since become part of another regiment, The Rifles.