WREATHS were laid at the Chepstow war memorial to honour the dead of the single worst day of fighting of the First World War for the area.
The day also marked the anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe.
Mayor of Chepstow, Cllr Ned Heywood, said: "Today is a very special day. Not only is it the 100th anniversary marking the greatest number of Chepstow men killed in the First World War on a single day, it is also the 70th anniversary of VE Day.
"One is a joyous commemoration, the other a less joyous commemoration."
The men of the Monmouthshire Regiment were among a British force heavily outnumbered and facing a considerable amount of artillery as the Germans tried to punch a hole through the line and get to the Channel ports.
It was also the battle where the Germans used poison gas for the first time.
The Chepstow men were in E company which was based at the Drill Hall in Lower Church Street and had marched off to war the previous August.
Wreaths from the British Legion and Chepstow Town Council, naming the eight men were laid on the memorial in Beaufort Square.
The eight men were: Private Alfred Jones of 35 Lower Church Street, Rifleman Victor Bailey of 21 Green Street, Rifleman John Day of 2 Hughes Crescent, Rifleman David Field of 4 Steep Street, Rifleman Cyril Priest of 41 Bridge Street, Captain Claude Stanton of Mounton House, Francis Warman of Wyebank House and Lance Corporal Thomas Griffiths.
Last week Cllr Heywood and deputy mayor Cllr Dale Rooke laid wreaths on the memorial to the Monmouthshire Regiment at Frezenberg Ridge.
Cllr Heywood said: "On a visit to the battlefield last week it was very easy to see how rapid a progress the Germans could have made to the Channel ports.
"The land is very flat and there is very little opportunity to defend. It is called Frezenburg Ridge but it is very difficult to see a ridge.
"A terrible day for Chepstow and we need to thank our political leaders, certainly in my lifetime, that there has been no repeat of war in Europe."
In a short service, Rev Chris Blanchard – the vicar of Chepstow – said: "We remember their sacrifice for our freedom and our peace.
"Let us remember before God those who have died for their country and especially those eight men at Frezenberg Ridge, those who we knew and whose memory we treasure and all those who died in the service of mankind."
•TWO women whose family come from Tutshill were at another memorial for two men who died at Frezenberg.
Sergeant William Pritchard and his son Reginald died side by side during the battle.
Sgt Pritchard was the uncle of the late Nora Blandford of Tutshill and her daughters, Judy and Mary, were at a memorial service St Teilo's Church at Mardy near Abergavenny which was also attended by Monmouth MP David Davies and Assembly Member Nick Ramsay.