There have been calls for two Barrhead brothers – who were both killed in World War One – to be remembered by the town for the first time.

Retired engineering worker Martin Taylor, 72, was shocked to learn neither James nor Patrick Fox are on the town’s War Memorial.

Martin made the discovery after finding the grave of Private James Fox in a church cemetery in Darnley Road.

However when the widower checked the memorial in Cowan Park he could not see his name anywhere.

After further research he discovered that James’ younger brother Patrick had also perished in the same conflict, at the age of 18, but again there was no mention of him on the memorial.

Now Martin, who lives in nearby Southpark Village, has called for the town to remember their sacrifice and for their names to be placed on the memorial.

He said: “The graveyard is part of the original St. John the Evangelist church which burnt down in 1941. Inside there is the Commonwealth War Games Commission headstone and grave of Private James Fox.

Barrhead News: Martin at grave of James Fox in the cemeteryMartin at grave of James Fox in the cemetery (Image: Newsquest)

“It says he was born on April 1895 in Stewart Street Barrhead and died of his wounds in August 1917 aged 23.

“I have done some research on James and it turns out that his younger brother Patrick who was born in January 1897 at the same address also perished in the Great War.

“He died on the September 1915 at Loos North West France. However there is no known grave for Patrick or mention of him on the memorial”

The Barrhead War Memorial carries the names of 381 men from the town who died during both World Wars and in the troubles in Northern Ireland.

Martin added: “I find it sad that James is in an uncared for graveyard and neither he nor Patrick are remembered or recorded on the Barrhead War Memorial.

“This family gave two of their sons to the war, their sacrifice should be acknowledged so future generations will remember them. Particularly when we have the pageantry and ceremony of Remembrance Sunday every year.”

Following their deaths James and Patrick’s parents moved to Paisley at the end of the war with their five other children.

An East Renfrewshire Council spokesperson said: “It’s important that anyone who made the ultimate sacrifice in conflict is remembered, so we’ll look into this matter with the information provided.”