During the First World War, a large number of local people joined the armed forces, and many lost their lives. The plaques on Darlaston war memorial contain the names of 268 people who died as a result of the conflict. Every November their supreme sacrifice is remembered at the Remembrance Day ceremony at the war memorial. Around 1.5 percent of the town's population never returned, and so almost everyone must have lost a relative in the conflict.

The dead are rightly remembered, but those who returned have almost been forgotten. They risked their lives in terrible conditions, and sometimes never fully recovered. The following photographs show some who returned, and deserve our thanks.
Private 26143 Richard Ashmore.

Courtesy of Christine and John Ashmore.

 
Sergeant William Edward Holmes who was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal, and the Military Medal, which was awarded for exceptional bravery.

He died in 1958.

Courtesy of Christine and John Ashmore.
During the war, William Edward Holmes married Amelia Ashmore. The photo opposite was taken at their wedding.

Back row:  Elizabeth Ashmore, and William's step brother.

Front row:  Emma Burns, mother of the bride, William Edward Holmes, Amelia Ashmore, and  William's mother.

Courtesy of Christine and John Ashmore.

Mr. Walter M. Wright and wife Annie (né Brookes).

Walter & Annie lived at 179 Franchise Street.
Annie died in 1948 and Walter in 1961.

I have to thank the Wright family for permission to use the photo.

Walter M. Wright had a brother, Richard James Wright who also fought in the war, and returned home afterwards. He also lived at 179 Franchise Street, and can be seen in the photograph above. He is sitting on the front bench, 4th from the left. The group photograph, taken during a break in the fighting, may have been used to boost morale at home, by giving the impression that relatives and loved ones were 'safe' during the campaign. In reality it is likely that many of them never returned home. Courtesy of Christine and John Ashmore.
This wedding photograph is believed to be of Callow Chilvers Foster, and Arthur Rhodes. If anyone can positively identify them, please send me an email.

Courtesy of Christine and John Ashmore.

 
If anyone has any photos of people that I can add to this section (preferably in uniform, and if possible with details of their war service),  please send me an email.
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