After a tendering procedure McRae Construction Ltd of Rutherglen has been chosen to build the memorial.

It is now hoped that Cllr Paul O’Kane (pictured), Neilston War Memorial Association (NWA) chairman, along with war veterans and school children, will break ground later this month.

Construction is set to begin in earnest in early March, with an approximate completion date around the end of May.

The site, next to St Thomas’ Church in Neilston, has been chosen because of its central location within the village.

Speaking to The News, a NWA spokesman said: “Here residents and visitors alike can spend time reflecting on the 210 Neilston men who made the ultimate sacrifice during the conflicts of World War one, World War two and Northern Ireland.” The memorial, which has been based on the designs of St Thomas’s Primary School pupil Kyla Fergus and Joseph Kearney, of St Luke’s High School, will list the names, rank and date of death of all individuals on four bronze plaques. Eight regimental badges, also cast in bronze, will run along the base of the memorial.

A unique Spinner’s Cross, designed by celebrated war artist Tom McKendrick, will provide a strong focal point to the finished memorial.

Over the past 3 years the association has meticulously researched and detailed all those killed in action as well as running a number of successful fundraising events.

This included two concerts at Crofthead Bowling Club and association member Jimmy Higgins walking and cycling from Neilston to Vimy Ridge in France, a distance of almost 600 miles.

These events, along with the incredible generosity and support from the residents of Neilston, and £5000 from the Whitelee Windfarm fund, have helped to raise £68,000 so far.

This has provided the association with the funds required for the first building phase, one that includes the memorial wall, plaques and cross, as well as an access path and landscaping.

If further funds can be raised then phase two will see more landscaping and two gateposts erected.

These would represent the gates of Cowdenhall Hospital, which once stood in Neilston, where wounded soldiers from Belgium watched those from Neilston march past on their way to war in 1915.

And the project doesn’t stop there. The Neilston War Memorial Association has other ideas as association secretary, Matt Drennan, explains: “We’re looking to document the story of the soldier’s that not only died, but also served in conflict, including certain aspects of their life such as where they worked, what interests they had, where they served, and the circumstances in which they died”.

“A number of photographs and letters sent home from the front would further augment their story. All of these artefacts could then form a book of condolence while the publication of a book, detailing the narrative of the Neilston soldiers, is something the association would love to see.

“We feel that simply having the names of those who died on a wall isn’t enough,” Matt continues. “A name on a memorial doesn’t mean anything without the history behind it.

“Therefore we need to bring the history of these people alive and bring their story back to the village and a book would be the ideal way of expressing our gratitude” If anyone has any material that they feel would be of interest then Matt can be contacted matthew.drennan@sky.com.

He added: “Any material would be gratefully received, looked after and documented before being safely returned.”