BRAVE heroes from Chipping Campden who fought in the First World War are to be commemorated in a special exhibition.

In a joint effort by the Royal British Legion, Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund and the Campden Historical Society, an event is taking place on Saturday, August 2 and Sunday, August 3 from 10am to 4pm in the Upper Town Hall.

The two-day exhibition is to mark the town’s contribution to the Great War as the whole country comes together to commemorate the centenary of the start of the First World War.

It will be formally opened at 10.30am on the Saturday by Philip Smith, Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Gloucestershire and is free.

Revealing the news to the town council at a meeting last week, Councillor Clive Constable said as well as remembering those who did not come back, there would be a special emphasis on those who were left behind.

“We’re putting in various sections about the war memorial,” he said. “And people that were left behind what they got up to. There’s not enough credit to the women that are left behind. They did a lot of work that the men did.

“The schools have promised to do their own little bit. I feel it’s important the younger generation should be involved with this as much as the older generation all coming together.”

As part of the event, there will be music from the Shipston Town Band which will be playing First World War tunes on the Sunday by the war memorial followed by a short service.

Councillor Graham Greenall said he would also like those who returned from the battle field who are not on the war memorial to be remembered as part of the commemoration.

“There’s far more to this than people who died,” he said. “I think I will try and continue to do more research. It will give a more structured view.”

Cllr Constable added that despite the lack of information about those who fought during the war, he was happy with the progress so far.

“It’s not been easy in Campden itself, there’s very little,” he said. “We’ve scoured through the Evesham Journal and parish magazines.

“Reading through the archives you wouldn’t think there was a great war going on. There’s very few families whose roots are still in Campden. But I think things are coming together.”