Not everyone commemorated by the Commission served in the armed forces. Civilians who died as a result of enemy action in the Second World War are remembered by name on a roll of honour in Westminster Abbey in London.

One of the names is that of Eric Liddell, perhaps one of the most famous athletes of his generation, who was the 400 yards champion in the 1924 Olympics and who has been immortalised in the film Chariots of Fire.

Eric was born in China and sent to school in England. At Edinburgh University he developed into a top class sportsman, also winning seven caps on the wing for Scotland in rugby football.

A deeply religious man, Eric returned to China to join his father as a missionary, but in March 1943 he was interned by the Japanese and died in captivity two years later.

source : CWGC