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By Mary Lipyeat

Tony Davies was the speaker for the October meeting of Knutsford Historical Society.

Sergeant Tony Davies, World War One soldier, has been very much in demand this year, since it is the centenary year of that momentous war.

Tony, who didn’t really fight in the War, took on the role of a Knutsford lad, and his talk was entitled, “Knutsford Lads who never came back”. He began by being dressed in full Sergeant’s garb, and as he disrobed explained every item a soldier was obliged to carry, and its purpose. He then described conditions in the trenches, which were worse for our soldiers than the German ones who had dug in for a permanent stand whereas we were assured the War would be over by Christmas.

If you have ever tried to explain to children and grandchildren how it started, you realise they don’t understand how we got involved in someone else’s war in the first place.

Faced with a long haul our Royal Engineers laid railway tracks for supply lines, spent four days in the trenches and then had leave for a couple, but where to go? Stretcher bearers were few and caring for the wounded minimal. Whole villages and towns decimated with the loss of their young men as Pals joined up together.

Tony works so hard to cover every aspect of the War, and tries to raise money and interest to erect a more fitting memorial than the one currently in Knutsford. Disappointingly he scotched the story of soldiers of both sides playing football on Christmas Day, it didn’t happen.

The next meeting will be on November 20, when speaker David Hill will be talking about Crystal Palace and the Great Exhibition.

Visitors are most welcome to join for a modest charge of £2 at Knutsford Methodist Church, entrance at the rear. David will speak at 8pm, but it is advised to arrive early for refreshments.