Stratford-upon-Avon

Before the First World War Stratford was an idyllic market town, where most townsfolk lived in the same alleys and tenements their ancestors had occupied for centuries. It was against this background that the drift to war occurred - and the outside world started to influence this sleepy town in a way it had never done before. In his new book local author Nick Fogg interweaves diaries, letters, newspaper accounts and oral testimony to create a rich and varied picture of Stratford and its people during the two world wars, showing us clearly how ordinary men and women reacted to the challenge of war. As well as describing life on the Home Front, the author also includes memories of those who served in the armed forces, at home and overseas: for example, the Stratfordians Edgar Cranmer - who was the telegraphist who received the German offer of an armistice, and Bruce Organ - who helped to organise the theatricals that disguised the Great Escape. A wide range of illustrations, many of them previously unpublished, complement the text. This fascinating account by Stratford's foremost historian will appeal to anyone interested in the history of the town, residents and visitors alike.