NEW remembrance display boards have been unveiled in a Worcester village remembering the sacrifice of heroes who fought in the Second World War.

More than 80 guests including Second World War veterans attended a special event held at St Peter's Garden Centre to unveil five themed information boards in Norton honouring the servicemen who passed through Norton Barracks.

The boards have been installed around the village aiming to educate the public, covering the themes of battles, soldiers, the Norton Barracks, the Victoria Cross and the Commemorative Garden.

Norton Barracks were built as a base for the Worcestershire Regiment in 1877 where they remained until 1962. In 1987, they were sold to property developers and converted into apartments, as part of a wider housing estate.

The only reference to the barracks had been a small plaque so villagers formed the Norton Worcestershire Regiment Group to drive a programme of work to enable greater education of the history of the barracks and provide a lasting legacy of the regiment's contribution.

The first project was a commemorative garden at St Peter's, designed by schoolchildren, and the latest is the new information boards which have been funded by the Armed Forces Covenant Fund and Severn Waste Fund, with support from Worcestershire County Council, Persimmon Homes, Wychavon District Council and the Mercian Regiment Museum.

Tracey Hodgkins, from the Norton Worcestershire Regiment Group, said: "Our overarching aim from the very outset is defined in our strap line which appears on all the lecterns - helping the community to remember.

"As a group of volunteers this project has tested our team work over the last 18 months. However, we all firmly believe the project and the end result have been worth it."

Worcestershire County Council's chairman, Tony Miller, said: "I have known Norton Barracks for well over 40 years and have had the privilege of knowing some of the serving army personnel and their families.

"It was humbling to meet such fine veterans that have served this country well and I know the barracks holds fond memories as well as sad ones for many."

• During the unveiling event, held on September 20, Second World War veteran Barry Freeman was presented with the Legion d'Honneur from Robert Mile, the Honorary Consul for France.

The Stourport resident was called up and reported to Norton Barracks on April 1, 1943, where he trained to become a soldier, eventually joining the Worcestershire Regiment.

The 91-year-old went on to become the driver of a support vehicle to the forward troops, landing in Normandy in June 1944.

He later become attached to a Canadian Regiment, and after the war was shipped off again to become a guard at the Panzer Barracks in the small German city of Hamm.

After receiving his award, an emotional Mr Freeman said: "I think the honour is beyond my comprehension.

"The other thing I remember from the war are my comrades who never came home."

Also in attendance at the event were Standard Bearers from the Worcester Branch of the Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regimental Association and pupils from Norton-Juxta-Kempsey First School who sang old war songs.