ISBN: 978 0 955 9200 1 1 HB 392
Published: Campden Press
The Hughes family’s association with Chipping Campden can be traced back to 1828, when Richard Hughes married Sarah Beard in St. James’s Church, and a strong sense of belonging is evident in the present book. It was written, the author says, that future generations might read about the men and women of the town who served their country, often at great sacrifice, during the First World War and might see them as individuals in a context rather than just so many names on a memorial. 487 of those individuals are portrayed here.
Bringing them to life has been the work of fifteen years of painstaking and dedicated research. Some of it was carried out in situ; many hours were spent walking in the footsteps of Campden men on the battlefields of France, Belgium, Italy, Salonika and Gallipoli. Records of various kinds provided a wealth of material. Trench maps, medal index cards, service papers and war diaries were accessed at the National Archives in London. Regimental museums were visited, contemporary issues of the London Gazette were explored and the back files of local newspapers ransacked. The Campden and District Historical and Archaeological Society and the Campden branch of the Gloucestershire Family History Society gave valuable support.
The most rewarding part of the project, however, was talking to present-day members of the families concerned, who were happy to share their vicarious experience of the war and generous in lending photographs, documents and letters home. These sources were not confined to readily accessible informants: descendants of the WWI service men and women were tracked down in countries all over the world, including the U.S.A., Canada and Australia.
The result is not only an important reference book and a tribute to people who deserve to be remembered but also a picture of a community in a time of stress.
This book is available from:
Peter Hughes, 9 Swan Road, Whittington, Staffordshire WS14 9NU.
Priced at £20.00 + £5.50 p&p
