Ryde Social Heritage Group research the social history of the citizens of Ryde, Isle of Wight. Documenting their lives, businesses and burial transcriptions.
RYDE SOCIAL HERITAGE GROUP
Based at Ryde Cemetery Heritage & Learning Centre. Preserving, documenting and promoting the social history of Ryde on the Isle of Wight.
  • MENU

WW1 ROADSHOW REPORT

Dave
Dave

The World War One Roadshow held at the George Street Centre, Ryde on Saturday 24 January attracted around 150 visitors of all ages. The event run by Carisbrooke Castle Museum in conjunction with Ryde Social Heritage Group, Historic Ryde Society and the Vectis Military Historical Association, formed part of the Island commemorations of the First World War 1914 – 1918.

There were displays of some of the Ryde people involved with the war, both on the front lines and those who volunteered at home, the Red Cross hospitals, and the ladies who supported the war effort by fund raising, knitting and making jam and garments for the soldiers and sailors. Original artefacts, books, documents and memorabilia were laid out and could be handled, replica uniforms were available to try on – uncomfortable and itchy were the main comments from the children! – and experts were on hand to help with identification of objects, photographs and family documents brought in and to answer questions on all aspects of the First World War. In a side room, an original film which has been digitally remastered showed the trenches, day to day life in the war zone and brought home the horrors we have come to associate with the battles. All our First World War folders were available for browsing and we set up our model of Ryde Castle Red Cross Hospital together with medicinal bottles and objects used to care for the wounded soldiers.

Many visitors brought documents and objects to show us and tell us their memories and stories of how their families suffered and how they survived during the bleakest moments of the conflict. We were shown medals, army papers, postcards, shell casings and the ‘dead man’s penny’, a memorial plaque issued to the next of kin of all British and Empire service personnel who were killed as a result of the war, so called as it resembled a large version of the penny coin. Made of bronze, at least 1,355,000 plaques were issued.

Staff and volunteers from Carisbrooke Castle Museum were on hand to talk to visitors and offer scanning facilities for those who would like copies of their documents and stories to be used in future exhibitions both at the museum and in future community roadshows to be staged throughout the centenary. 2015 marks the 100th anniversary of the Gallipoli campaign in which the IW Rifles took part and suffered many losses. Gareth Sprack, an expert on the history of the IW Rifles and dressed in uniform all day, was able to answer many of the visitor’s questions. Richard Smout, IW Record Office, brought letters, maps, minute books and diaries from the First World War period and helped visitors understand their own documents and how to research further using the resources freely available at the record office.

There were several volunteers dressed in period costume including Gareth and Dan in First World War uniform, and our own Ann and Kate representing the ladies of Ryde who gave their time and energy to the war effort by consoling the bereaved, making jam and garments and organising fund raising events throughout the town.

We would like to thank all the visitors and volunteers for making the day a success and sharing their stories and memorabilia with us. We counted at least 30 RSHG members visiting during the day, many staying several hours and some coming back with friends and other family members for a second or third time.

Related website:

Carisbrooke Castle Museum www.carisbrookecastlemuseum.org.uk