Barnsley History Day 2016

This year's Barnsley history day was held at the town hall on Sunday. The event was opened by the Mayor and was a great celebration of local heritage. Many of the local history groups had tables and exhibitions.

Barnsley history day,
 Photo credit: Experience Barnsley

The Mayor opens Barnsley history day.
 Photo credit: Experience Barnsley

The stand belonging to the Wombwell Heritage Group featured a display about Wombwell men who died on and during the Somme. The display board was the hard work of Mary Taylor. Of course the Wombwell Heritage Group couldn't have put this board together without the help of the soldier's relatives. Many of whom have donated photographs and other information for us to use.

Wombwell Heritage group's stand

As it is the anniversary of the start of the Somme in a few months we decided to focus on the men who died not just on 1st of July 1916 but also those who died during the many months the battle . So far I have identified 29 Wombwell men who fell on 1st July 1916, but there very well could be more.

Display board featuring Wombwell men who fell on the first day of the Somme
and throughout many months of the conflict.

Just some of the 29 Wombwell men who died on the first day of the Somme.

I'd like to say thank you to the relatives who have provided us with information on their uncles and grandfathers for the exhibition. Sadly due to lack of space we couldn't show everything we have. Hopefully there will be some more Wombwell based events nearer the anniversary of the Somme. Where we can create a larger more in depth display.

Display of WW1 Arifacts

As well as the information boards we had a table of WW1 artifacts. These included medals, cap badges, sweetheart brooches, One of our prize exhibitions is a death penny belonging to a Wombwell soldier named Frank Pettitt . Which was rescued from a scrapyard and donated to me by Wallis Metals of Goldthorpe. Also on display were some bullets and a grenade casing recovered from the Somme.

Frank Pettitt's death penny
Donated by wallis metals

French and German rounds recovered from the Somme.

WW1 artifacts displayed by the Wombwell Heritage Group.

Mary Taylor and Pte. Frank Inskipp's relative Jean Davies.

Another great advantage of attending the history day is that you get to meet relatives of WW1 soldiers. Above is a photograph of Mary Taylor talking to Jean Davies. She is a relative of Pte. Frank Inskipp. Although Frank isn't on our Wombwell memorial he came from a nearby village. He was friends with a Wombwell soldier named Francis Feasey. They were both in the same regiment and according to military records died on the first day of the Somme.

People viewing stalls at Barnsley history day.
What a great turnout!

Taskers Barnsley street photography display

Barnsley war Memorial Project's display.

People viewing displays at Barnsley history day.

I'm going to assume this is the Mayor's car.

Barnsley War Memorial.
This memorial is unusual as it has no names on it.

More photos can be viewed in an album on Experience Barnsley's Facebook page

Dearne Valley History Fair

Yesterday I had the pleasure of attending the Dearne Valley History Fair, which took place at the Coronation club in Thurnscoe. I went along with the Wombwell Heritage Group, where we had a table and display.

Exhibitors at the Dearne Valley History Fair.

The event was opened by the Mayor of Barnsley and his wife. Many local history groups and charities had stalls and displays, including the Thurnscoe History group and another raising funds for a memorial to the victims of  the Oaks colliery disaster. The exhibition was also visited by groups of school children from several local primarys. One exhibitor had brought in replica WW1 soldier's uniforms, for the children to dress up in, This proved a great hit; with one little boy declaring that he "Didn't want to take it off!". It was great to get see how enthusiastic the children were at getting  involved with a hands on history lesson. I had my own table of WW1 artifacts, including medals and personal belongs owned by my two great great uncles Raymond Hudson and Cooper Allen Robinson, both of whom died in WW1. The children loved learning that they were holding a wallet that was over a hundred years old and that was removed from the body of a dead soldier!

Private John William Fell

As always, these events are great for meeting descendants of our Wombwell soldiers and yesterday was no different. We got to to chat to a to a gentlemen who was related to Private John William Fell who was served with the Barnsley pals. He died on 12th May 1917 and is remembered on the Arras memorial in France.

Wombwell War Memorial Trail Article

The launch of the WW1 memorial trail made the front page of the Wombwell edition of this Friday's Barnsley Chronicle.

Barnsley Chronicle Septermber 18th  2015

The official opening took place at St. Mary's church last Friday 11th September. The event was attended, amongst others, by Micheal Wilkinson son of Wombwell veteran, George Wilkinson, Georges's story was featured in the exhibition & the teaching pack the Wombwell Heritage Group have created. Mr Wilkinson traveled all the way from Kings Lynn to be there for the launch and gave a heartfelt speech about his father.

Barnsley Chronicle September 18th 2015

The memorial trail is the brainchild of the Wombwell Heritage Group. who with the aid of lottery funding created not only the trail but a teaching pack and website.

Barnsley Chronicle article on Private Frank Pettitt

Barnsley Chronicle 4th September 2015

The articles from last Friday's Barnsley Chronicle about the death Penny which was found at Wallis Metals, Goldthorpe. Frank Pettitt was a soldier from Wombwell who was killed in action during WW1.

Barnsley Chronicle 4th September 2015

Last Friday the Chronicle ran another article on Frank Pettitt and his friends from Hawson Street who also died in WW1

Barnsley Chronicel Sept 11th 2015