LITTLE Robert Taylor polishes up on a spot of proud military history as Chorley prepares to mark the first Remembrance Day of the new millennium this weekend.

Robert, aged six, who attends Anderton CP, in Babylon Lane, adds a pre-commemoration shine to a special memorial -- erected many years ago in memory of the 'Old Boys' who both gave their lives and won distinctions in the Great War.

The four-sided tribute features the names of 38 ex-pupils of Adlington District Council School, as it used to be called, who fought in the bloody conflict.

Head teacher Barbara Riley, who has been at the school for four years, said that pupils are kept aware of the gallant and heroic efforts of the brave former pupils: "We have special assemblies and draw the children's attention every year to the memorial because it is very special."

Soldiers named on the plaque at Chorley's Anderton CP School are: John Hough, Harry Molyneaux, John H Norris, Fred Parker, John Perrigo, Thomas Rainford, Ben Scard, Harry Slater, James Smith, Joseph Sutcliffe, Thomas Thorpe, Nathan Urmston, Sidney Waterworth, Ben Webster, Fred Woosey, John Thorpe, Alfred E Edwards MC MM, Thomas Leeming DCM, James Woosey MM Two Bars, William Harper MM, Richard Lowe MM, William Unsworth MM, Benjamin Webster MM, John W Atherton, John W Baines, Henry Baxendale, Edward Berry, Tom Birchall, James Bretland, Walter Fairclough, Thomas Gent, John Gray, Benjamin Greaves, Bert Green, Edward Hamer, James Heaps, Sam Holland, John Holt.

Local historian Stuart Clewlow, of Adlington, who studies military history as a hobby, helped roll back the years with short accounts of some of the sad and tragic deaths of the local servicemen.

Lance corporal Nathan Urmston, for example, of the East Surrey Regiment, who was killed in action on September 13, 1918 -- struck by a shell as he was leaving to come home at the age of 21.

Nathan, who fought at Ypres, lived in Railway Road, Adlington. He is buried in Aix-Noulette Communal Cemetery.

Private John William Baines, aged 24, of the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, who was born in Heath Charnock.

John was killed instantly when he was shot through the head by a German sniper at Armentieres just three days before Christmas Day, 1915.

And sapper John Norris, of the Royal Engineers 201st Field Company, who was clearing trees for a battery to fire on the enemy when a tree fell on him.

Adlington-born John asked the chaplain to tell everyone at home that he loved them. The chaplain promised him he would bury him and give him a cross.

John, who was married with three children, died on March 20, 1917. He was aged 30.

Communities throughout the whole of Chorley will be clearing the mists of time this weekend to pay their respects to the servicemen of the borough who lost their lives in this and other conflicts in the name of their country.

One little school in Anderton is helping to ensure we NEVER forget.