WWI memorial stone rededicated in Bristol church

A special service was held to rededicate the marble stone at St John's Church in Bristol

A World War One memorial stone found in the garden of a Bristol house five years ago has been rededicated in its new home in a city church.

The marble stone is dedicated to the workers of the Avonside Engine Company who served during the conflict.

It was found propped up at the side of the house covered in undergrowth including algae, snails and lichen.

The house is situated a mile from the old Avonside factory in St Philip's which made locomotives.

The inscription on the stone contains 86 names, including nine employees who died and 17 people who were injured.

The stone was found in a garden covered in algae and moss

Homeowner Damien Nixon said: "It's the start of a new story and closes the book from when we first found it."

Heritage Lottery funding has been secured to restore the stone, and local historians have traced the families of the factory workers who served.

Local historian Clive Burlton helped with restoring and finding a home for the marble stone.

He said: "What is really unusual about the memorial, is that all of the factory employees who served in the armed forces, including the nine who were killed and the 17 who were injured, were listed.

"That is really quite unusual for a memorial of this nature and it must have cost the factory a fair bit of money because it is a beautiful white marble tablet and it gives a great focus to this church."

The stone was carefully restored before being placed in the church