Veterans who served in the First or Second World Wars will be honoured by a new memorial site on the grounds of Cabinet Office.

So far almost 2,000 names have been identified for engraving on the war memorial, and Government is asking for any other veterans or their families to come forward and be counted.

It is the latest in a series of efforts to honour those who fought for Bermuda — after in 1920, the Government of the day promised, but failed, to build a memorial outside Cabinet Office.

According to the Ministry of Works and Engineering, soldiers returning from the First World War were not given any pensions and benefits. And it wasn't until after the Second World War that a memorial was created for small units, like the BVRC Memorial in Victoria Park.

A Ministry spokesperson said: "Bermuda's military units were segregated at the time of the World Wars and the records of many soldiers, particularly black soldiers, have been poorly maintained. Many others do not exist at all.

"The current campaign aims at righting a historic wrong in the Bermuda community. The aim is to recognise appropriately the First and Second World War service of all of Bermuda's residents. The new war memorial will honour the sacrifice of every Bermudian man and woman who served in the Great Wars."

Since 2007 the Government has extended benefits to veterans and widows to include free hospital treatment, hospice care, a monthly pension and funeral grant.

These benefits were available in other Commonwealth countries as early as 1919, but never made fully available on the Island.

For more information or to add a name to the War Memorial, call Carol Everson at 533-4567 or email nosoldierleftbehind@hotmail.com.