Penallt Great War & War Memorial
Exhibition – Saturday 16th April 2016
Discussing the display
As part of the various grants given toward the restoration of the Penallt War Memorial a unique and interesting exhibition was held at Pelham Hall last Saturday.
A steady stream of visitors arrived throughout the day, some from as far away as Hampshire, at Pelham Hall throughout last Saturday to see a unique exhibition relating to the Great War in Gwent and the village War Memorial. The exhibition featured a series of posters provided by Gwent Archives and The Western Front Association covering numerous aspects of the Great War and how it impacted on the local population.
In addition the latest research on the origins and history of the War Memorial commemorating the men from Penallt who died during the Great War was provided by Linda and Peter Garwood.
Steve Trew a Great War re-enactor was present in period uniform to let people see and handle equipment and items used by men in the Great War.
12 year old Ewan and 10 year old Rory Bredemear were surprised at the weight of a rifle and pack, just a small part of the kit a man was expected to carry during the war. Mr Gerald Richardson showed he could still drill with a rifle!
Many people learned new information about the men from the village and about the impact the Great War had on the people of Monmouthshire.
The help of Pelham Hall Committee in allowing the use of the hall for the day was appreciated by all.
The restoration and exhibition was funded by:
- The National Lottery Heritage Fund
- War Memorials Trust
- Monmouthshire County Council
- Trellech United Community Council
- The Royal Naval Association
- The Royal British Legion
- The Western Front Association
- Villagers from Penallt.