2014 IS now with us, and later in the year it will be the 100th anniversary of the First World War.

The war started on July 28,1914, and Britain declared war on August 4,1914.

During this time millions of people worldwide died and Newport did not come out unscathed, with the loss of about 1,829 men, women and children.

In particular, the second Battle of Ypres in 1915 cost the lives of at least 84 Newport men on May 8, 1915, with only one having a proper grave, and in total during the time of the battle Newport lost about 160 men in a month. Hopefully, if plans come to fruition, there will be a new memorial to those who died on May 8 in Bellevue Park in time for the 100th anniversary of their deaths, and also to commemorate their comrades who died during the other days of the battle and act as a memorial to all Newport’s citizens who died during this conflict. May 8,1915, the day that Newport cried.

Shaun McGuire Mole Close Bettws Newport