RMS Lusitania, along with the Titanic, is probably one of the most infamous ships in history.
On 7 May 1915, just 11 miles from the coast of Ireland, the Lusitania was struck by torpedoes fired by German submarines. 2,001 passengers lost their lives. The sinking of the Lusitania caused an international outcry, especially in the United States of America, as 128 out of 139 US citizens on board lost their lives.
The parish return for North Petherton shows a Somerset link to the vessel.
Parish Return Extract for North Petherton
It records that the Fish family of North Petherton, were aboard the ship. It then relates how Mrs Fish, her three children and Miss Rogers, a sister, were struck by the sinking:
The youngest child was drowned, and the second-a girl- was in the water, but was kept afloat by the mother who wore a lifebelt. When rescued all but…
In May 1921 the East Brent War Memorial was dedicated to the men of the village that fell during 1914 – 1918.
Crowds gather at the East Brent War Memorial c.1921
This memorial is considered unusual in appearance compared to others being built at the time because of the statues representing the four services. Contemporary accounts also comment on the striking appearance of the memorial at its distinctive location of the junction of the Old Bristol Road and the Weston Road.
East Brent War Memorial
A. Ruscombe Emery, the mason firm that created the memorial were also responsible for the building of others in the county at Broadway, Catcott, West Huntspill, East Huntspill and Brean.
Further information about the memorial and the location can be found here:
In the autumn of 2014 the Wiveliscombe Civic Society was lucky enough to secure a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund for The Wiveliscombe Children of the Great War project , which will focus on the children of the town, as they lived 100 years ago, and now. Previously unseen records from the primary school alongside baptismal records and other genealogical resources will build a picture of family life in Wiveliscombe during and after the First World War.
Postcard of Wiveliscombe Primary School
The project, co-ordinated by Suzie Grogan and Pauline Homeshaw M.B.E, Chair of the Civic Society, will enable children in the town to discover the memories and heritage of the people whose families lived through the First World War. Many of these families have been part of the Wiveliscombe community for generations and still have descendants in the town. The children will research the war’s history, visit the Somerset Heritage Centre, graveyards, the recreation ground and the local care home to create a commemorative book containing their findings, and the results of an art competition.
Children from Wiveliscombe Primary School
With help from local historians, the information gathered will be the basis for the book and this will also lead to the creation of a mosaic to be sited in the centre of town. Information will also be recorded by the children to be archived for future generations to listen to but also for playing out on our community radio station, 10 Radio.
Ceramic Poppy Project
It promises to be a lovely project that will offer a lasting legacy for the children of the town, now and in the future.
For more details see the website and follow the blog at
When the Somerset Remembers project formally ends on 31 March the Somerset Remembers Community Archive will remain the place to share your stories and research on the First World War in Somerset.
Somerset Remembers Community Archive Homepage
We are looking for letters, diaries, photographs and stories of the county during the conflict, both relating to those serving abroad, but also to the roles and experiences of those who remained at home.
Did a relative serve with the Somerset Light Infantry? Did an ancestor leave school to work in a war time industry or to help with the production of food? Is there a Red Cross nurse in the family? Or have you been researching your village to mark the centenary? If so we want to hear from you.
Once the stories are uploaded to the Community Archive they will become a research resource for anyone interested in Somerset for the war years, and will help to make a complete picture of the county’s war effort.
The archive will also stand as a monument to the men, women and children of Somerset who contributed to the nation’s cause and to mark the legacy the war has had on today’s communities.