LOCAL history group Melksham Remembers and students from Melksham Oak Community School have finished recording an audiobook about what life was like in Melksham and surrounding areas in World War One.
The book was originally published in hardback format in 2019, following a successful exhibition about World War One at the Campus the year before. Local charity, Wiltshire Sight proposed the group record it in audiobook format, as they said the content would be of interest to the people they support.
Volunteers from Melksham Remembers and students started recording the book last year with the help of the school’s head of music, Emma Cypher-Neal and music teacher, Mike Thomas. It covers topics including how wounded soldiers were looked after in the town and the efforts by the community to send food parcels to prisoners of war. Volunteers also read excerpts from log books that were kept by head teachers of local schools at the time.
“The book includes moments such as the royal visit by King George and Queen Mary in 1917,” says chair of the group Paul Carter, “as well as an incident in Lowbourne School playground when a pilot flew over and performed tricks in the plane, he waved his hankey out of the window and all the children were watching.
“The book also remembers those from Melksham who served in the war. There are many people in the town who have relatives who served. People often tell me after reading the hardback copy, ‘oh that was my grandad or great-grandad.”
Interludes of contemporary pipe music also feature, played by captain Darran Thomas of the Reme, a military colleague of Melksham Remembers member, major general Darren Crook.
The audiobook can be purchased for £10 from the group and is available in a USB format. Paul said, “Members of the group can deliver the USB to those who purchase a copy in Melksham. For those who live outside of the town, we will figure out delivery with the people on a case-by-case basis. The original book of the 2018 World War One exhibition is still available too and costs £18. It can be purchased by messaging our Facebook page.”
To purchase a copy of the audiobook, contact the group via Facebook by searching ‘MelkshamRemembers.’
