Final display by memorial group
THE 100th anniversary of the World War I armistice on 11th November, 2018, will be a fitting date to have the final display of the work carried out by the Wall Heath and Kingswinford War Memorials Research Group.
Set up in early 2012, the group have researched all the men commemorated on both village memorials. The 108 men all have meticulously researched and compiled biographies in the groups published work The Lost Sons of Wall Heath and Kingswinford, which we are very proud of finding many photographs of the men which are included and further pictures from around the world of their final resting places.
Just as today, families moved around the country for many reasons. In the case of the men commemorated on the memorials this was usually work related. So it is not surprising to find connections in Stourbridge or Dudley, Birmingham or Kidderminster and even further afield. Some got their education in the local school, others at King Edward’s Grammar or Oldswinford Hospital School. Each story is individual, as were they.
The final display will be held at the Church of the Ascension, Church Hall, Wall Heath, from 10am on the 11th November. It is planned to finish at 2pm, however if there is greater interest, and as it is the last event, we hope to keep it open for as long as possible if people wish to view it.
There will also be refreshments, including cakes and biscuits made from original period recipes available for a donation.
The display will feature all our regular items as well as additions added since our last event. We have several descendants of the fallen who have very kindly agreed to lend us treasured items passed on through their families which will also be on display. If anyone else has any mementos or memorabilia of the fallen of the villages and would be interested in displaying them it would be wonderful to have you bring them along. So we can arrange a display area in advance it would be great to hear from you. Please ring 07739 572121. As we work full time and can’t always answer a call immediately leave us a message with a number and we will get back to you, or you can email us on wallheathkford@hotmail.co.uk Guy Marshall wallheathkford@hotmail.co.uk