Torfaen at War Exhibition Launch

The 4th August was the centenary of Britain's entry into the First World War.  It was also the launch of a digital exhibition by Torfaen Heritage telling the story of local people who had fought in the war..
Last June I donated my book 'Tell Them of Us' to the exhibition by going along to their van at the Cwmbran Big Event.  I was also interviewed at the time and this interview was recorded for use in the project.
 Over the next few weeks I sent further information to be used in the exhibition, my ancestors service records and any photographs that I had though unfortunately I was later told my recording probably wouldn't be used because of all the background noise from recording outside.

Anyway, I was invited to the launch of the project on 4th August at the Blaenavon Heritage Centre.  It took place in a big old classroom in the former St Peter's School and the place was full of people who had contributed their stories.

The first part of the afternoon was taken up with talks about the project and then our first chance to see the film that had been created from all the stories collected.  I remembered that my recording wasn't going to be used so sat back to watch the dvd, feeling a bit disappointed.  

However this was not to be.  A few minutes in and one of my photographs was on the tv screen, one of my Great Great Uncle William and there was a voice, telling the story of his experience of the Christmas Day Truce, it was me!!  A strange moment, felt a bit shocked at first, but then I glanced around, people were listening, then I felt proud.  There are some moments money cant buy, that was one of them.

When the film ended all the contributors were called up one by one to collect a copy of the dvd.  My name was called out so I got up and went to collect mine, to lots of applause, just like everyone else.  Shook hands with the mayor and had my photograph taken with her.  

Then it was time for tea and cake and a look around at the display boards.  Each board tells the story of someone from Torfaen who took part in World War 1.  Only the story of one of my ancestors has been told at the moment, that of Great Great Uncle William, mainly because he took part in the Christmas Day Truce of 1914.  I believe the exhibition is following the timeline of the war for the next four years, so the book I donated may be referred to in future and other ancestors of mine included in the exhibition.

The Torfaen at War Exhibition is at Blaenavon Heritage Centre until 31 October then it will be travelling around the county for the next four years.