Books recall war memories

A book launch involving two local authors whose work relates to real life stories during the trenches in The Great War was held at Aldridge.

Pelsall resident and author Ken Wayman based his book 'Thank God I am trying to do my little bit' on a Walsall soldier's letters from the trenches during 1916-1917. Private Jim Elwell was transferred from the South Staffordshire Territorials to the hard-hit 7th Battalion 'The Suffolk Regiment' with whom he served in France during the First World War.

Ken based his book on the 53 hand written letters, postcards and greeting cards sent by Private Elwell who gave a first hand account of the harsh life of trench warfare. The book is packed throughout with original letters, photos and other official documents that illustrate Jim Elwell's life.

'Bonner VC' is Sue Satterthwaite's fourth book and comes hot on the heels of her recent work 'Leaving the Village'. The book is her biography of Charles George (Gus) Bonner, a 32-year-old Lieutenant in the Royal Naval Reserve and son of a Staffordshire farmer who received the highest and most prestigious award for bravery in the face of the enemy, the Victorian Cross.