THE 19 young men from Upton Pyne, near Exeter, who served and died in the First World War will have their stories told at an exhibition in the village hall during the first weekend of August.
Amateur researchers have tracked down records for each of the men, including the four Ellis brothers, sons of the licensee of the Three Horseshoes at Cowley, who died in the war.
The King and Queen sent a letter of condolence to their parents.
Two sides of the family of half-brothers Walter and Frederick Bowden, also recorded on the newly-restored village war memorial, are planning to meet for the first time ever at the weekend events.
Graves in the churchyard of soldiers who served and died during in the war but who are not recorded on the memorial have been restored and the men's stories listed with the others.
On display at the exhibition of artefacts and memorabilia will be a memorial banner made by Upton Pyne embroiderer Adrienne Howells which is touring venues across Devon during 2014.
People visiting the banner can mark a red silk poppy with a message about a family member who died in the 1914-1918 war, to help form a record of how the war affected the county. The free exhibition entitled 'War Stories' is open on Saturday 2 August and Sunday 3 August from 2 to 5 pm. Cream teas will be available in the hall, which enjoys panoramic views of the Devon countryside.
The banner, and a wall hanging made by village children under Adrienne’s direction, will be blessed by the Bishop of Crediton during a memorial service in the village church on Friday 1 August at 11am attended by British Legion dignitaries and standard bearers.
On Saturday evening a sell-out WW1 supper and show in the village hall will see well-known local performers remembering the war in music and words. Corned beef and piccalilli followed by bread pudding and custard are on the menu.
The Lord Mayor of Exeter will unveil the children’s wall hanging – which depicts Upton Pyne as it was in 1914 – during a coffee morning and sale of local produce in the hall at 11am on Monday 4 August, the day Britain went to war 100 years ago.
Everyone is welcome at all the events, which will raise money for the maintenance of the village church and its grounds. Donations for silk poppies for the banner will go the British Legion. For more information call 01392-841402 or email friendsofuptonpyne@yahoo.co.uk.
