A war memorial honouring residents who served in the First and Second World Wars will have its official dedication next week.

Government is holding a special ceremony on Sunday, December 12 in honour of the new memorial.

A Government spokeswoman yesterday said it is believed a higher proportion of Bermuda residents served in the First World War than any other country.

Residents participated in all the great battles including the Battle of the Somme in France, which lasted six months and left nearly a million people dead.

“After the First World War, the Government of the day promised that a war memorial would be built on the Cabinet grounds and a foundation stone was laid in 1920 by the Prince of Wales, later King Edward VIII,” the spokeswoman said.

“For various reasons, however, the memorial was never built. After the Second World War the Bermuda Volunteer Rifle Corps, a smaller, separate unit, did have a war memorial constructed in Victoria Park, Hamilton.

“The new war memorial, located a few yards east of the Cenotaph on Front Street, Hamilton, was constructed earlier this year by the Ministry of Public Works.

“An Island-wide appeal and a No Soldier Left Behind campaign led by Carol Everson has led to the names of over 2,500 Bermuda veterans who served in the First and Second World Wars being carved on the memorial.”

Bermuda’s military units were racially segregated during the wars and black veterans received less recognition for their service when they returned to the Island. The campaign was launched because records of veterans, particularly black veterans, were poorly kept.

In 2007 Government amended the Pensions and Gratuities War Service Act 1947 to ensure black veterans and their widows receive benefits, including free hospital treatment, respite and palliative care, a monthly pension and a funeral grant.

Governor Sir Richard Gozney will join Premier Paula Cox and the Deputy Premier Derrick Burgess at the 9.30am ceremony.

Members of the public are invited to join veterans and their families. There will be performances by the Bermuda Regiment and its band and Corps of Drums.