We are so pleased to have been chosen as the book printers for a new book published by Christ Church Welshpool
This new book ‘Remembering the Fallen of the Great War at Christ Church’ by Natalie Bass, will be launched on Saturday 25th February.
The book brings together the stories of twenty-nine men that died in the First World War that have a memorial in the churchyard of Christ Church. Their stories give a glimpse of life in Welshpool and the surrounding area 100 years ago, and mirror key events in the Great War.
Nearly ten years ago, with the centenary of the First World War approaching, I began to research the stories behind the headstones that referred to a son that fell in the Battle of the Somme, or brothers that died within days of each other on the Western Front.
A Story to be Told
Walking through the churchyard I would notice phrases like ‘killed at Sulva Bay’ and wonder where that was and why were men from Welshpool fighting there. It was incredibly moving to find out how twenty-nine local men were involved in so many different aspects of the war and in such a variety of places, from training with the Montgomeryshire Yeomanry in Welshpool, to fighting in France and Flanders, and even further afield in the Balkans and Baghdad.
On the centenary of each man’s death, their story was displayed in the church and a hand-painted slate poppy was placed next to the headstone. The response was so positive, and that has led to the publication of the book as a permanent record of all twenty-nine stories.
Book Launch
The book will be launched at Christ Church on Saturday 25th February at 2pm, all are very welcome.
Thereafter the book will be available to purchase during our openings (Fridays 1 – 4pm or by appointment) or through our online shop.
It will also be available to buy at Eleos Christian Bookshop and Hardy’s Bookstore.
All proceeds from the sale of the book will go towards the restoration work to enable public access to Christ Church.
Further information can be found at www.christchurchwelshpool.co.uk
