Southwell at War, 1914-1919

Three local historians, Canon Michael Austin, Lance Wright and Mike Kirton, have spent the last two years researching a major book that chronicles Southwell’s commitment to the Great War.

From a population of about 3,200 at least 650 served in the armed forces during the conflict. Of these almost 110 did not return, with many more wounded and/or traumatised by the war. The core of the early volunteers were the 115 men of the local territorials, led by Captain John Becher, forming ‘H’ Company, 8th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters, part of the first territorial brigade to serve in the trenches in 1915.

Southwell at War, contains biographical details of most of the 650 Southwell men, along with information taken from military records and descendants. In addition the book contains edited excerpts of the ‘Southwell News’ columns of the Newark Advertiser giving a fascinating insight into the ‘Home Front’ and news from the ‘front’. Other chapters contain stories of various individuals who served, the progress of the territorials, the role of women, life in the schools, and the local military convalescent hospitals.

This large format book, of almost 350 pages and 135 illustration, is available from The Bookcase in Lowdham, Tel: 0115 9664143.