SOLDIERS with links to Dalton, Coniston and Millom featured in a series of First World War drama, lights and sound presentations at the City Museum, Lancaster.
Hundreds of people – in groups limited to 30 - saw the Recommisioned project which was held over several evenings until Remembrance Day.
It had actors wearing First World War uniforms of the kind familiar to Furness and Millom soldiers in the King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment.
The script by Steve Fairclough was based on work by local schools and highlighted the role of King’s Own soldiers in the Battle of the Somme.
A total of 946 King’s Own men died in the 141-day battle.
As people gathered outside the museum for the Recommissioned shows, King’s Own collection curator Peter Donnelly, in First World War uniform, handed out sealed envelopes.
Each had the name of a King’s Own soldier and could be opened at the end of the presentation to see what happened to him.
Among the 40 soldiers to be chosen was Pte Robert Helme, number 201115, of the 1st/4th Battalion, King’s Own.
He came from Dalton and enlisted, aged 19, in November 1915.
Pte Helme went overseas on 11th June 11 in 1916, just before the Battle of the Somme.
He was taken prisoner on April 9 in 1918 during the German attack on Givenchy.
The Dalton soldier was killed by an aeroplane bomb on April 28 in 1918 while a prisoner of war.
He is buried in Cabaret-Rouge British Cemetery, near Arras, France.
By the time of the 1911 census he was living with his aunt Maria and uncle George Allonby at Hartington Street, Dalton.
You can see more about his captivity as a prisoner of war on the King’s Own museum website at www.kingsownmuseum.com/ko1353.htm
Another soldier to feature was Company Quartermaster Sgt Richard Usher, number 2410, of the 1st/4th King’s Own.
He was responsible for the supply of kit, equipment and food for his company.
He was Killed in action in an advance on Guillemont on the Somme on August 8 in 1916.
His body was not recovered and his military service is recorded on the Thiepval Memorial.
Pte Usher was born at Torver and played football for a Coniston team.
His parents, John and Jane, lived at Albert Street, Millom.
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