Blog post
Welcome to our blog. Here you’ll find contributions from local historians and experts on the subject of Staffordshire’s involvement in the Great War, and on the commemorative events taking place throughout the County.
Uncovering the Truth
The torment suffered 100 years ago by British soldiers who advanced towards the Germans on July 1 1916, the first day of the Battle of the Somme, has been well documented. But in his new book HUGH SEBAG-MONTEFIORE cites the slur on the reputation of the South Staffordshire Regiment, who were accused afterwards of having…
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Keele War Memorial Restoration Case Study
This Grade II listed war memorial in the village of Keele in north west Staffordshire is a cross on a slim pillar, on an elaborate base. There is tracery between the arms of the cross and there are small shields carved in relief at the top of buttresses around the plinth. These shields represent the…
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Tolkien Exhibition reveals how horrors of the Somme shaped Middle-Earth
** Link to photos of J.R. R Tolkien and the Somme** Second Lieutenant J.R.R Tolkien trained for the Great War on Cannock Chase in Staffordshire before he was sent to France to fight in the Battle of the Somme. During his time in the trenches, where he served as a signals officer, Tolkien witnessed the…
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The Somme machineguns rattled in Middle-earth and rattle us still
Article from the Sunday Times about J R R Tolkien’s time on Cannock Chase.
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Private George Everill
Read the story of Private George Everill, from Shelton, who was shot and killed by a firing squad of British soldiers after being convicted following a court martial for desertion. Sentinel Shot At Dawn An article by Richard Ault of The Sentinel.
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Brindley Heath Hospital
The Staffordshire Advertiser Saturday January 8th 1916 Military Hospital – Great progress is being made with the erection of the new military hospital at Brindley Heath. Intended to accommodate about 1000 beds, the hospital premises comprise 13 wards, each 208 ft by 21 ft, arranged at intervals of about 25 ft in parallel lines, the…
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John William Streets, Penkridge and the Somme
John William Streets was born on 24th March 1886 to William and Clara. Will, as he was known to the family, was the eldest of 12 children. He was a talented and intelligent boy who played the piano and was good at his school work but from the age of 14 to 28, he worked at the coal…
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Tutbury War Memorial
Read the story of the conservation of Tutbury War Memorial here, as presented by Rick Nuth at the Staffordshire in the Great War conference on March 5th 2016 at the National Memorial Arboretum.
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The Anzac Puppy
Peter Millet has written an award winning children’s book based on the story of Freda, the mascot of the New Zealand Rifles based on Cannock Chase. Read the AONB blog about Freda. Freda is a Dalmatian puppy owned by Lucy’s family. They can’t afford to keep her and she is adopted by a young soldier…
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Visit to Messines
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Uncovering the Truth
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Keele War Memorial Restoration Case Study
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Tolkien Exhibition reveals how horrors of the Somme shaped Middle-Earth
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The Somme machineguns rattled in Middle-earth and rattle us still
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Private George Everill
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Brindley Heath Hospital
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John William Streets, Penkridge and the Somme
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Tutbury War Memorial
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The Anzac Puppy