As part of our research about the impact of the First World War on the lives of people living in Wimborne and surrounding areas, we held two ‘Gathering Family Memories of World War One’ drop-in events at Priest’s House Museum, supported by Curator, Emma Ayling.
People told us about handed-down memories, and brought several intimate and poignant objects, including photographs and letters relating to family members in the Great War. They told stories about the emotional legacy of war, and how its effect has been felt through generations.
One significant object was the Autograph Book of a local music teacher, Gertrude Coggin, who became a nurse at Beaucroft Hopspital, a local Red Cross Auxilliary Hospital, formerly Beaucroft House in Colehill – a small book full of untold stories.
See photos of the Gathering Days
Two short videos filmed at the Gathering Days.
An old soldier sings Waltzing Matilda.
Clare looks at postcards from the war.