An exhibition of Reepham men serving in the First World War will be held from Saturday 26 July to Monday 28 July and from Saturday 2 August to Monday 4 August in St Michael’s, Reepham, from 10 am – 4 pm.
Called “Putting a Face to the Name, Reepham Remembering 100 Years on”, the exhibition commemorates those listed on the two memorials in the churches of St Mary’s and St Michael’s in Reepham. It also highlights those men not listed and a few non-locals who also had memorable service in the War. More than 170 names have already been found. “Come and find out if you are related,” says organiser Ron Luton-Brown.
2014 is a significant year for the remembrance of those that fought and died in World War One. After Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated on 28 June 1914, 28 nations where involved in the conflict. Austria declared war on Serbia on 28 July; Germany declared war on Russia on 1 August; Germany declared war on France on 3 August. And at 11 pm on 4 August (midnight in Germany), Britain and the Commonwealth declared war on Germany.
By the end of the War, 45 men from the Reepham area had died and at least another 151 fought in the air, on land and at sea. Men took part in battles across the world, including Egypt, Turkey and Iraq, but many fought – and died – in the trenches of Northern France and Flanders. Most of these local men joined the Norfolk Regiments, although at least two fought with the Canadian Army.
All these men came from a town with a total population in 1911 of 1,433, of which 721 were male (including children). At least 112 families were directly affected, from farm labourers to the Lord of the Manor.
The effect on the area after the War is difficult to ascertain. But many men moved away to other parts of the county and country, and some even moved abroad to Canada and the USA. Some returned form the War with physical injuries and some with psychological scars that were not recognised and for many were seen as a sign of weakness, never to be spoken of.
The Putting the Face to the Name project is not just about remembering the men, but also the families they left behind and how all those lives changed forever after the War. This information will be brought together and presented via the website and at the exhibition in July/August; a book is also planned.
If you have any information on any of the men listed or even if you know someone who fought and is not listed, please contact Ron Luton-Brown 01603 871726 or roninreepham@yahoo.co.uk
www.puttingthefacetothename.weebly.com