THE STORY of Private Frank England and fellow soldiers from the area will be remembered in Wellesbourne this weekend.
St Peter’s Church Centre will hold a special exhibition about the First World War on Saturday (October 25).
Private Frank England, who is remembered on the Walton War Memorial, is one of those featured in the exhibition.
The then 21-year-old enlisted at the Budbroke recruiting office at Warwick and was assigned to the Royal Warwickshire Regiment which saw major action during the Somme Offensive 1916.
After going missing on July 1, 1916, it was not until November his parents discovered his fate. He had been injured, taken prisoner and died from his wounds just five days after he was reported missing.
On New Year’s Eve 1916 a memorial service was held in Wellesbourne’s Wesleyan Chapel to commemorate his life and service.
Dene Valley U3A, a group of retired and semi-retired villagers, have put the exhibition together to tell the personal stories of soldiers, who like Frank, left leafy Warwickshire for the horrors of the trenches at the front.
The group began their research in 2012 to honour those who lost their lives and who are named on local village war memorials, and also the many who served and returned home.
The exhibition also looks at village life in the area during wartime.
It can be seen from 10.30am to 4pm. Call 01789 471036 for further details.
Private Frank England worked as a house painter in Wellesbourne before leaving for the front line. (s)
