Those plans are now nearing completion and Belfast-based company Consarc, architects of The Braid, have also designed a granite plinth, sympathetic to the existing War Memorial, on which the bronze plaque will rest.

Its dedication will take place in the garden at the end of this month and council staff are working together with the Royal British Legion to mark the occasion with an appropriate ceremony.

Invitations to attend are being extended to the successor regiments of those in which the VC medal winners served so long ago but the organisers would also like to invite surviving relatives of the three men if they can be traced.

The Council is hoping readers of the Ballymena Times can help.
Maybe you know someone who is a relative of Sergeant Bernard Diamond. He was born in 1827 in Portglenone and was serving with the Bengal Horse artillery when he secured his award for gallantry during the Indian Mutiny of 1857. He died aged 65 in New Zealand in 1892.

Perhaps you know a distant relative of Sir George White from Portstewart who was later Governor of Gibraltar. He was awarded the VC for bravery as a young man, but went on to achieve greater fame at Ladysmith in South Africa during the Boer War. His grave is at First Presbyterian Church in Broughshane.

Or, do you know anyone with a connection to Private Alexander Wright. Born in Ballymena in 1826, very little is known about his life, except that he showed conspicuous courage throughout the Crimean War. He later served in Malta and India, dying in Calcutta in 1858.

If you know of any descendants or relatives of these men, Pam Diamond at The Braid would very much like to hear from you. Pam can be contacted by telephone on 25 635926 or via email to Pamela.Diamond@ballymena.gov.uk