Author: Steve Williams Talks

I am presenting a talk entitled ‘Lest we forget – the men from Brindle, Clayton-le-Woods & Whittle-le-Woods who fought in the First World War’.

The talk is at Clayton Green Library, near Chorley and is part of the recently launched Chorley Remembers project, aimed at people wanting to learn more about the sacrifice of local men and perhaps research their own family’s involvement.

Admission is free to the talk which starts at 7.30 p.m., on Tuesday, 9th November, however tickets should be obtained in advance from the Library on 01772 321820 or e-mail: clayton-green.library@lancashire.gov.uk .

Whilst doing research on my family tree (and for a new talk ‘Who do you think I am?’), my sister supplied ‘lost’ details of my father’s Army service in the Second World War.

Photographs of him with the 8th Army in the desert of North Africa (1942 – 43) and in Italy (1944 – 45) have now been donated to the Essex Yeomanry website – see http://www.essex-yeomanry.org.uk/history/picture-gallery-1921-to-1969.html

Gunner Charles Williams served in tanks with the Royal Artillery and with the 519th (Essex Yeomanry) Battery, 104th Royal Horse Artillery in the latter part of the War.

The coach trip to Ypres for Remembrance Day, in conjunction with Rossendale Travel, is fully booked with 48 passengers making the four day trip to Belgium in November.

It will be repeated in 2011, although a price has yet to be confirmed.

Using the format of the popular BBC TV programme ‘Who do you think you are?’ I will be adding a new talk to my 2011 programme entitled ‘Who do you think I am?’.

The illustrated talk covers research into my own family tree, tracing my roots back to the Huguenots in France and includes a Yorkshire wool merchant, a Victorian publican, several policemen, a Bolton tram driver, a soldier killed on the Somme in 1916 and a relative who allegedly went down on the RMS Titanic.

Steve Williams Talks Brochure 2011

Bookings are being taken for a short coach trip I have organised to the Somme battlefield over the late May Bank Holiday next year.

The four day trip from east and Central Lancashire will visit all the major sites and memorials on the Somme, including the front-line trenches held by the Accrington and Chorley Pals near the village of Serre during 1916. I have changed the hotel in Arras to one which provides a full ‘English’ breakfast, so the 3 * Mecure has replaced the Holiday Inn Express on the itinerary; the cost of the four day trip remains the same at just £219 per person sharing a twin / double room and cabin on the ferry.

A PDF brochure about the trip can be downloaded here.

My talk about the First World War through different eyes is proving very popular, receiving seven bookings between now and November 2011.

Whilst aimed at ladies groups, it is proving as popular with mixed audiences.

I am flattered to be short-listed for a Chorley ‘Smile’ award under the category of ‘Citizen of the Year’.

The awards are presented annually by Chorley Council and I will know if I have been successful at the awards ceremony, to be held in Astley Park in Chorley on Sunday, 4th July.

In response to demand, I have organised a short coach trip to the Somme battlefield over the late May Bank Holiday next year.

The four day trip from east and Central Lancashire will visit all the major sites and memorials on the Somme, including the front-line trenches held by the Accrington and Chorley Pals near the village of Serre during 1916.

Click here for further details.

May I congratulate my good friend Lindsay Hoyle, the MP for Chorley, on being elected Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons.

Lindsay and I co-founded the Chorley Pals Memorial appeal back in February 2007 and he successfully led the campaign, playing a vital role in its success and ultimate unveiling in the town earlier this year.

Following on from my books and work on the Chorley Pals Memorial, I am considering setting up a new group called ‘Chorley in the Great War’.

It is aimed at anyone interested in the role and involvement of men from the town and surrounding villages in the Great War, as well as learning more about the conflict overall.

The launch date has yet to be set but meetings will be held at venues around the area; do e-mail me to register your interest.