THE horrors of the First World War still stun people into silence today.

From our technologically advanced world of emails, apps and social networks it can be almost impossible to imagine what life was like for young men sent into battle back then.

Mown down in their hundreds of thousands each day, they were ill equipped and totally unprepared for what they faced.

On the first day on the Somme in France, 420,000 British 'boys' died and many artists, authors and poets have ensured their sacrifice is not forgotten.

Among them was the poet Wilfred Owen who described his attitude and ignorance of what was to come in his poem, Disabled.

Next year, many groups and organisations will be marking the start of the First World War, and commemorating the years 1914-1918.

This month, Penally History Group is to help bring to life the realities of life 100 years ago.

Publicising their latest exhibition, the group said: "Next year, many organisations will be commemorating the years 1914-1918 and retelling the injustices and heroisms and idiocy of the First World War, but what was life like before that point?

"Penally History Group has been researching how a little rural village, like Penally, functioned during this period; what people did; what they earned; how they dressed and entertained themselves."

The results of their findings will be on show in the village hall on Saturday and Sunday with an exhibition: 1913 - The Year Before the World Went Mad.

Situated close to the well-established holiday resort of Tenby, yet different, the area still relied on agriculture.

"A few rich men had built grand houses on the hillside above the church," the group says. "There was no radio or television to spread the news. Newspapers tried to warn on the possibilities of conflict but even those who took notice felt that there would be a small skirmish and it would be 'all over by Christmas'.

"Women did not realise that their husbands and sweethearts would never return and that 1913 would be their last year of happiness and chance of marriage."

The free exhibition will be open from 10.30am to 7pm both days this weekend, and refreshments will be available.

For more information contact David on 01834 849041.