Ken Wayman & Barry Crutchley

The search for a ‘lost’ war memorial, the stories of the commemorated lads and its re-adoption by the original school.

This is the story of Elmore Green School Old Boys’ Association war memorial that was unveiled in the school hall in 1922. It traces the families and experiences of the sixty-seven lads named on the alabaster memorial, as well as one Old Boy who for some reason was omitted from the list. In addition, the events leading to the deaths of ten servicemen closely-related to those commemorated are examined, showing how the war affected their wider families; moreover, a number of related servicemen who managed to survive the Great War have been bound into the tale.

The story is not only about the servicemen but also about the memorial itself, from its original dedication in the spring of 1922, through school closures, changed identities, demolition, disappearance (fortunately into unreported storage), re-discovery, renovation, re-installation and rededication.

Now re-adopted by the school community from whence it came, the war memorial has invigorated its local community and brought forward numerous descendants of the Old Boys, furnishing invaluable information, precious photographs and memorabilia.

The authors owe a debt of gratitude to the present school community and its enthusiastic head-teacher, staff and pupils – they gave the war memorial story an unexpected happy ending.

About the authors
Both now retired, Ken Wayman taught History at TP Riley Comprehensive in Bloxwich for 26 years. He lives in Walsall. Barry Crutchley was born in Bloxwich close to Elmore Green School and still lives in the area.

Pub date: 17 Dec 2012
ISBN: 978-1-908336-44-6
Format: 170x245mm
Binding: Paperback
Extent: 460pp
Price: £18.99
Publisher: Tommies Guides
Imprint: Reveille Press

BIC Classifications:
Local History (WQH)
Staffordshire (1DBKEMS)
First World War (HBWN)
First World War, 1914-1918 (3JJF)