Last chance to hear talk of Togo

THE last chance to hear about local soldier celebrity Togo Bolesworth is being offered as the last in the series of Museum talks for 2017.

Togo Bolesworth from Hinckley was described by his officers as “the best soldier in the Leicestershire Regiment”. How a humble Private could become to be described in this way is explored by local historian Greg Drozdz.

Mr Drozdz said: “I have been fascinated by Togo’s story for many years. The Hinckley Times printed a couple of articles of mine on him in the run up to the 1914 - 1918 Centenary period. He was the inspiration for our 2014 exhibition at the Museum - “Somewhere in No-Man’s Land” - which brought together material never before seen about Togo and his life. I explore this material in the talk but there are some new surprises along the way”.

Mr Drozdz added: “Togo Bolesworth was killed on October 1 1917 at Polygon Wood in the Ypres Salient - just over 100 years ago. He was serving in the 9th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment and he has no known grave - his body was lost to the ravages of war on the battlefield.

“He was remembered by some as the bravest soldier in the Leicestershire Regiment never to have been awarded the VC - there has to be a reason - all will be revealed”.

The museum talk takes place on Thursday December 14 at 7.30pm at the Great Meeting Chapel on Baines Lane, Hinckley. Entrance is free for Friends of the museum and £3 for non -members.