Commemoration of the Great War 1914 – 1918

Written by Jackie Scully.

Already ideas are beginning to be formed as to how we in Forncett might get involved in this. One idea is to create a 'timeline' concerning Forncett and its inhabitants during the period of the Great War. It would be in real time, starting at 4th August 1914 with the declaration of war and adding information as it came in; e.g. information regarding enlistment of local boys, news from the Front from letters received back home or recorded in a local magazine, and snippets of local activities arranged to help the war cause etc; and sadly news of the death of a soldier as and when it arrived. This would be interwoven with information on major events happening at the time. The information would provide a picture of how the war affected Forncett people, and could lead to a publication of this material.

There are hopefully people who have items, photographs and handed down memories of Forncett which could be copied and inserted in the timeline. This would include those who served in the War and survived.

I would like to hear from anyone who would like to get involved with this project and/or has material or information regarding Forncett men or people from the time which could be used. Please get in touch. Any original material will be copied and returned.

An ongoing research project into the names on the Forncett St Peter and Forncett St Mary war memorials is nearing completion and this will be part of the Great War commemorations. Plans are being made to have two books dedicated, hopefully on Remembrance Sunday 2014, following which one will be placed in each church.

If you have a relative who is named on either of the memorials and have not been in touch regarding this, I would like to hear from you. For those of you who have already contacted me I will be letting you know future developments.

Jackie Scully