A War-Torn Chester Parish - just published

[Harper]

 

The Great War Study Group of St Werburgh's Roman Catholic Church in Chester has just published their second book, A War-Torn Chester Parish, St Werburgh's before, during and after the Great War. This book contains stories about parish life around the time of the Great War, tales of Chester soldiers who had rather unusual service lives, tales of families and the parish schools which coped during the Great War, all interspersed with accounts of visitors to Chester such as the King of Spain. The growth of Chester as a cosmopolitan city due to influxes of Belgian and other refugees, is well documented. There are reminiscences of growing up in Chester in the early 20th century and information about the building and architecture of the church. This book would appeal to anyone who is interested in the effects of the Great War on the home front, the history of Chester or the testimony of some front line soldiers. With many colour and monochrome pictures, this volume is an attractive addition to any bookshelf.

 

Copies of the first book by the Great War Study Group, We Shall Remember Them, are also available. We Shall Remember Them contains over 100 biographies of the men of St Werburgh's parish who lost their lives in the Great War.

Hard back £20 ** Soft back £10

To order your copy please contact jbroadhurst1339@tiscali.co.uk or Tel: 01244 311374

 

Table of Contents of A War-Torn Chester Parish, St Werburgh's before, during and after the Great War

 

• Chester in 1914
• King Alfonso’s visit to St. Werburgh's.
• History of the building of St. Werburgh’s Church
• St. Patrick’s Day Concerts 1913-1920
• Our Birkenhead Friend, A.K.B. Brandreth
• Benedict Williamson- WW1 Chaplain and friend of A.K.B. Brandreth
• A Rather Special Chalice
• No Men Left at St. Werburgh’s
• St. Werburgh’s Schools
• Parish Clergy Changes
• A War Hero Returns, The Great War Experiences of Walter Keating
• Sergeant Major Patrick Currivan, a True Irish Hero but not in the Great War
• Hugh Welch
• The Welch Family
• Australian Munitions Workers and Matthew Clayson
• A Tale of Two Architects (John Douglas and Edmund Kirby)
• Reminiscences of an Irish Chester Childhood
• The Belgian Connection – Constant Wauters, Little Sisters Hospital, Richmond House Hospital
• Fr. Loos, French/Flemish articles in the Parish Magazine etc.
• Belgians at Deeside Cottage
• Memories of Steven Street
• Easter Uprising and Chester 1916
• The Enigma of Roger Casement
• Missionaries in Chester (Penswick and Briggs)
• Wallis Family and St. Werburgh’s
• The Tragedy of the Vickers Family
• Racehorses and Altars
• The Nelson Cup and the Silversmiths who made it
• The Search for Lieutenant Hughes
• Biography of Gunner C.H. Creighton
• A Night Ride
• The Ears of the Guns
• Sky Pilots
• Two Brothers, Two Wars
• The Duke’s Dash in the Desert
• Third Time Lucky at St. Werburgh’s
• The History and Mystery of the War Memorial Chapel