The villages of Coney Weston and Barningham were typical Suffolk villages at the start of the century. But the boys who grew up there were to embark on extroadinary and dangerous journeys when they signed up to go and fight in the trenches. Many were not to return.
This personal account shows their lives before, during and after those turbulent times - and details what those left behind did to cope with their losses - and remember those who would not return.
Collecting together material from newspapers, military and civilian records, family photographs and personal recollections, ‘Gallant and patriotic sons’ offers a unique insight into a village community surving through epic times.

Available for £7.00 plus £1.50 p&p

To order email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  or call 020 7624 4060

Armistice Day next Friday 11th November 2011 sees the publication of a new and comprehensive history of the west Suffolk villages of Coney Weston and Barningham during World War One: Gallant and patriotic sons Author Ed Fordham said: “I wanted to know more about my relative Ebenezer Fordham of Barningham who died in the First World War. This became a much wider undertaking as I found that I was related to at least three of the sixteen men killed in the war from the two villages. As it progressed I was finding information on most of the men listed on the war memorials of Coney Weston and Barningham. In no time at all I found other combatants, including Ebenezer’s brother Edward Fordham, who had survived from Coney Weston and Barningham and did not feature on the memorials.

“The villages of Coney Weston and Barningham were typical Suffolk villages at the start of the century. But the boys who grew up there were to embark on extraordinary and dangerous journeys when they signed up to go and fight in the trenches. Many were not to return.

“‘Gallant and patriotic sons’ was how the local newspapers again and again described the men from the villages of Suffolk who fought in the war and naming the book after them seemed the right way to honour the men and their sacrifice.

“I’m very grateful to the residents in the villages who have helped but also a number of descendents who live in Bury St Edmunds, Thetford and Diss who have helped with the research.”

This personal account shows their lives before, during and after those turbulent times - and details what those left behind did to cope with their losses - and remember those who would not return.

Collecting together material from newspapers, military and civilian records, family photographs and personal recollections, ‘Gallant and patriotic sons’ offers a unique insight into a village community surviving through epic times.

Copies of the book can be ordered for just £7 (including p&p) by sending a cheque “Libretto Marketing Ltd” and posted to: Russell Eagling, 7 Douglas Court, Quex Road, London, NW6 4PT.