The 112th and final memorial service for a Ramsey resident who died as a result of the First World War was held this week.

Ramsey Commissioners and the town’s Royal British Legion branch undertook to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the death of every resident who had fought and died in the Great War.

Wednesday saw about 75 veterans, residents, politicians and Lieutenant Governor Sir Richard Gozney join the descendants of Private Philip Henry Perry who died in a Cornish hospital on September 11, 1919, 10 months after the end of the war.

One of his descendants included his great, great, great, nephew Ryan Kelly, who is a pupil at Ramsey Grammar School.

To commemorate his death, a cross was placed at the war memorial, next to the town’s courthouse, a minute’s silence observed and Reverend Bryan Yardy led a eulogy and prayers to Private Perry.

Reverend Yardy said: ’We meet in the solemn moment to stand in the presence of God and to acknowledge the courage and sacrifice of those who gave their lives during the First World War.

’As part of the First World War centenary commemorations, a simple wooden cross has been planted at the memorial site here in Ramsey on the 100th anniversary of each of the 112 fallen named on this memorial.

’And today marks the occasion when we plant the final cross on the 100th anniversary of the death of Private Philip Henry Perry, who served in the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry and previously the Royal Navy.

’It is thought that he died on this day in 1919 as a result of his injuries whilst serving.’

Following this, bugler Brian Osborn from Castletown Metropolitan Silver Band played the Last Post, chairman of the local authority Andy Cowie placed a wooden cross, Sir Richard placed a poppy wreath on the memorial and Brigadier Norman Butcher gave the exhortation.

Ramsey’s determination to remember the sacrifice made by its residents during the Great War is not only unique in the island, it is believed to have been the only town, city or village in the British Isles to have remembered its fallen in this manner.

Private Perry also has another unique place in Ramsey’s history. Anyone who has studied the town’s war memorial may have counted 113 names, however there is only actually 112 men listed. Private Perry is named twice on the memorial for his service to both the navy and the army.