One of the first sights to greet visitors as they enter the Romsey showground tomorrow (Saturday) will be a Garden of Remembrance planted with 374 wooden crosses.

The crosses, all placed equidistant apart, represent the 374 men from Romsey and its surrounding villages who lost their lives fighting for King and Country during the First World War.

Each cross has been inscribed with the man’s name and any military decoration they may have been awarded for outstanding service in the face of the enemy.

The garden will set the scene for a day of remembrance which, together with all the usual attractions of an agricultural show, has been conceived as a commemoration rather than a celebration of the centenary of the start of World War One.

The key tribute will be the ‘Romsey Remembers’ event in the Main Ring at midday. Members of the public will be asked to join with dignitaries in carrying 374 cards, each bearing the name and rank of someone who died as a result of the war.

Accompanied by 12 standard bearers from the Royal British Legion, the volunteers will line up with their cards for an official aerial photograph that will form a solemn visual reminder of the great price paid during one of the most destructive conflicts known to mankind. Ode to the Dead will be read, a bugler will play Last Post and a Sopwith biplane will fly past to signal the start of a stunning display by replica WW1 aircraft.

Among the dignitaries expected to take part are representatives from the American Embassy and the Canadian and Australian High Commissions; the new Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire and his wife, Nigel and Christine Atkinson; the Show Patron, Lady Brabourne; the Joint Presidents, Major General Patrick Cordingley and his wife, Melissa; the Mayor of Test Valley, Jan Lovell and possibly 15 Germans from Romsey’s twin town of Battenberg who are visiting the show as guests of Romsey Twinning.

However, crucial to the success of this event is that volunteers from the audience come forward to swell their ranks. “Both adults and children are encouraged to take part in this poignant act of remembrance,” said Show Secretary Penny Muxworthy. “Indeed, your participation is vital to make it a success.”

Among those planning to be part of the ceremony are Kath and Terry Garland. Assisted by her husband, Kath is the Poppy Appeal co-ordinator for Romsey and District and has very neatly written the names on all 374 crosses in the Garden of Remembrance and will spend this evening (Friday) planting them.

It has been a labour of love as she has been remembering her husband’s three great uncles, Albert, Robert and Frederick Garland, who grew up in Michelmersh but all died in WW1.

Kath has run the Poppy Appeal in Romsey since 2006 and last year collected over £31,000 to support the work of the Royal British Legion. To boost this year’s total she will be seeking donations for some of the 28,000 poppies and 5,000 enamel pins that she has ordered. Her stand in the WW1 marquee will also have special 1914 – 2014 pins and wrist bands plus poppy transfers and flags for children.

In addition, she will have unnamed crosses available for people to plant in the Garden of Remembrance so that they may recall whomever they want to.

Other organisations based in the WW1 marquee include the War Horse Memorial Project focusing on the contribution of horses and mules; King John’s House displaying some of their 500 clay horses; the 3-Rivers Community Rail Project highlighting the role of Romsey station in transporting both men and livestock and the Romsey School History Club, who have been researching the names on the town’s war memorial with the aim of producing a documentary.

Also based in the marquee are Pete Chapman and Simon Pearce, who have inspired much of the thinking behind this year’s show with their newly-published book, Romsey Boys in the Great War, which offers an historical record of the Romsey men who served in the Armed Forces during WW1.

The authors’ research suggests that about 5,000 people lived in Romsey in 1914, of whom 1,500 went to war and 374 perished. These were mostly farm labourers, jam boilers and railway men and few would have considered becoming professional soldiers and sailors during peace time.

Romsey Show takes place tomorrow (Saturday) at Broadlands Park, Romsey. For more information, visit www.romseyshow.co.uk