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Lost WWI Honour Roll Found After 110 Years
3 Nov
Summary
- A 110-year-old WWI Roll of Honour, lost for decades, has been found.
- The document lists 45 men from Cowley village who fought in World War One.
- Meticulously restored with local donations, it's now on public display.
A precious 110-year-old document, a World War One Roll of Honour listing 45 men from Cowley, Gloucestershire, has been rediscovered after decades. This "handshake with history" was found in the tower of St Mary's Church and meticulously restored by a paper conservator, funded by community donations. The restoration cost £1,700.
The roll features names of men who worked for Lord Horlick of the Cowley Estate. Among them was Private William Fisher, a gardener who volunteered early but died shortly after reaching the front lines. His letters home offer a glimpse into his experiences before his tragic end.
Another man, blacksmith Jessie Sly, returned home but suffered life-altering injuries from gas inhalation. He later became the village postman, his health struggles audible from afar. The restoration project has been a unifying effort, bringing the village's past into the present.
