World War One In the Words of Worcestershire People to show personal insights of conflict.

Explore the words and mementos of Worcestershire people brought together in public for the first time for a new exhibition featuring letters, diaries, poems and unusual objects. World War One in the Words of Worcestershire people will bring a personal insight into the First World War from 25th October–14th March 2014 at Worcester City Art Gallery and Museum.

World War One in the Words of Worcestershire people is part of the Worcestershire World War One Hundred project and funded through Heritage Lottery Fund. Worcestershire World War One Hundred is one of the largest programme of events across England commemorating the First World War.

Visitors to Worcester Art Gallery and Museum can read and experience first-hand accounts from the front line in diaries kept by soldiers to cherished letters telling of a soldier’s bravery and bringing comfort to the families of the deceased who remained at home waiting for news.

Objects on display include a Cello made from an oil can which was played in the trenches alongside the words from Rupert Brookes ‘A little piece of England in a foreign field’ which has its own local connection, published for the first time in Ledbury. Local artefacts have been loaned to the exhibition including the silver mounted hooves of Jerry, a German horse rescued at the Western Front by the Worcester Regiment, who lived out his life giving rides to local children off Pitchcroft.

Philippa Tinsley, Senior Curator Worcester Art Gallery and Museum said: “In researching this exhibition we have come across so many moving, personal stories of soldiers at the front and those who waited for them at home. We are so pleased that we are able to bring them together in this way and we hope the exhibition is a fitting tribute to all those who played their part in the Great War.”

Visitors to the exhibition can also take a view of the whole of World War One with a key events timeline on display, with a particular focus on events relevant to Worcestershire, encouraging a modern audience with no experience of conscription to consider at what point during the War they would have joined up, would it have been a local or national event that prompted them to enlist.

Activities and events will take place at key moments to accompany the exhibition including a Family Remembrance Day on Saturday 8 November which will include drop-in workshops with artist Kate Brookes, performances by the Stringcredibles, music by Merrinoyse and poetry workshops with Fergus the Poet as well as an opportunity to experience the World War One with Discover Histories.

Whilst visitors are enjoying the exhibition they can also visit the Worcestershire Soldier display, which is also based at the Art Gallery and Museum and houses collections and objects from the Worcestershire Regiment, Worcestershire Yeomanry Cavalry and Museums Worcestershire, bringing to life 300 years of Worcestershire’s military history.
The exhibition is open Monday–Saturday 10.30am–4.30pm. For more information contact the Art Gallery and Museum on 01905 25371 OR visit www.museumsworcestershire.org.uk or follow @worcestermuseum