Local WWI information & photos sought

AN amateur historian, who is researching the lives of soldiers who served during the First World War, will be hosting free drop-in sessions at Henley Library.

Mike Willoughby is calling for people to share any information, photographs or memorabilia with him every Thursday from 9am until noon. It follows his recent exhibition at the Old Fire Station Gallery in Henley.

Mr Willoughby, from Woodocte, says: “I have expanded my research to include all those soldiers of Henley and surrounding villages to find out about those who returned as well as those who died.”

He hopes to hold an exhibition of what he has found at Holy Trinity Church in November to coincide with the unveiling of a memorial plaque.

Mr Willoughby published a 320-page book, Bringing Them Home, in July which details all the men from Henley who died in the war and the street in which they lived. It is part of his Lest We Forget project which aims to commemorate the soldiers, sailors, airmen and others who died from Henley and the surrounding villages as a result of the First World War.

Mr Willougby can be contacted on (01491) 680828.