Brentford Local History Day

Local Men Killed in the First World War Honoured

Local History Day at Brentford Library was a huge success and a first for many people to see the wonderful first floor room where the exhibition was held.

The exhibition was an opportunity to honour the men from Brentford who lost their lives during the First World War and in particular those listed on the St Lawrence’s Memorial which is due to be relocated in the Garden of Remembrance at the Library within the next few months.

First World War memorabilia was on display along with local and family history. One of the highlights of the day was a talk by local historian David Bright, which was very informative. Celia Cotton, famous locally for her amazing website www.bhsproject.co.uk travelled from her home town of Leicester to take part. Celia was delighted to answer questions and show her collection of old photos, maps and history of Brentford, which she has collected over recent years.

Also on display was a map of Brentford with a poppy to represent each of the 178 men who fell from West Brentford and listed on the St Lawrence’s Memorial.

As Andrew Dakers said “This image of the poppies across the map of Brentford was by far the most powerful and really showed the huge and devastating loss of so much of a generation that the conflict brought upon Brentford."

Tribute was paid to one of the men listed on the Memorial, Alfred Pearce whose niece Mary Huxley still lives in Brentford. Mary, along with her sister Miriam Beech proudly displayed their uncle Alfred’s photograph together with his medals, bible, letters and the last card he wrote to his mother.

Some exhibits will be kept on display in the foyer of the Library including the story of Alfred Turner, son of past historian and librarian Fred Turner who helped get funding for the building of Brentford Library.

July 10, 2009