PREPARATIONS for an exhibition of First World War mementos in Llangwm are revealing fascinating glimpses of life at home and at the front during the conflict.

The exhibition, which has received a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund’s (HLF) First World War: then and now programme, will take place along with a musical play in November.

Llangwm Local History Society is appealing for more photographs, medals, service records, war-related documents and family memories to feature in the event. All items will be scanned by a county museum expert.

During an event last month, in which local people brought their mementos to the village hall, heart-rending stories began to emerge.

“One family had two sons who both wanted to enlist. The elder did so in the normal way but his younger brother was under-age so lied about his birth date in order to join up”, said Jane Mills, chairman of the working party setting up the exhibition.

“His distraught mother managed to buy him out and brought him home. But he managed to enlist again – and just two days after he arrived at the front, he lost his life”.

Llangwm Local History Society is holding a second scanning evening today (Wednesday) at 7pm in the village hall.

“The last one brought in some real treasures – letters home from men serving at the front, a copy of a booklet given to them, and even a hand-drawn plan of Hearson Camp at Houghton where large numbers of men were billeted,” said Jane.

The Society is also plans to film local people telling the stories of their relatives. The films will be shown during the autumn exhibition.

The HLF has invested over £46million in projects to mark the global Centenary.

Head of the HLF in Wales, Jennifer Stewart, said:

“With our new small grants programme, we are enabling even more communities like those involved in Llangwm: A Village at War to explore the continuing legacy of this conflict and help local young people in particular to broaden their understanding of how it has shaped our modern world.”