Exhibition sees villages mark war sacrifice
VILLAGES are staging an exhibition to commemorate their role in the First World War.
Dozens of men from Prestbury, Butley and Upton left the safety of their homes to play their part in the conflict.
Tragically, many were killed in the Great War.
Those who returned home were hailed as heroes at a special ceremony where they were presented with silver tankards. These were also gifted to the widows, mothers or dependants of those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Almost a century on and the Prestbury community is coming together again for an exhibition commemorating those who died from the area and Mottram St Andrew.
The Cheshire Villages Great War Society is staging the event at Prestbury Primary School, Bollin Grove, on Saturday, November 11, from 10am to 5pm.
At the exhibition display will be three of those silver tankards from brothers William and John Thomson, and Harry Gibson.
Harry Carlisle, from the society, said: “On display will be details of the 48 men who died, along with information on the other 80 or so soldiers that survived.
“There will be researchers available to answer any relevant question put to them.
“Why not come along and discover where and when these young men died, and of course pay your respects to those who gave their today so that we may have a tomorrow.”
Harry is also appealing for anyone who may have one of the commemora- tive tankards to call him on 01625 428331.
One of the tankards belonged to Harry Gibson, who was employed at L. C. Slater, Bollington as a paper stainer when he signed up to serve in the 10th battalion of the Cheshire Regiment.
He was twice engaged in battle on the Western Front.
In January 1916 he was shot twice in two days, firstly to his knee then his thigh. He was shipped home and spent four months in hospital recovering.
In November that year Harry returned to the front line, where he was again wounded while acting as stretcher-bearer at the battle of Lys. He died the following day on April 18, 1918. He was 22 years old. He is buried at a military cemetery in Belgium and was posthumously awarded the 1914/15 Star, British War and Victory medals.