EVERY primary and secondary school in the Forest of Dean is to receive a copy of a new book telling the story of the impact the First World War — ‘the war to end all wars’ — made on the district from 1914 until 1918.

The book, The Forest at War: Life in the Forest of Dean During World War One has been produced by members of the Forest of Dean Local History Society.

Thanks to funding from the Midcounties Co-operative, a copy of the 280-page book will be sent to all local schools.

Society chairman Mary Sullivan describes the book as a comprehensive study of how things unfolded in the Forest and tells not only the stories of those who volunteered to go the Front but the role of women on the home front, the premises that became hospitals, the struggle for food, refugees, war memorials, conscription and conscientious objectors.

The book is to be launched at this Saturday’s meeting of the society to be held at the West Dean Centre, Bream (3pm).

An editorial team spearheaded by David Harris, Cheryl Mayo, Cecile Hunt and Keith Walker brought the book to fruition and its publication brings to a close a project launched in 2013 when the society began a study into the home front in the Forest to mark the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of the war.

A three months-long exhibition staged the Dean Heritage Centre followed, and as a result of its success the book project took shape.

Described as a series of essays designed to collectively provide an insight into how the war affected the lives and times of inhabitants of the Forest, there are many illustrations notably from Geoff Davis, of Sungreen, and vice-president Ian Pope.

The guest speaker at Saturday’s meeting will be Stuart Wilson, a professional archaeologist who will explain how he came to purchase a field in Trellech which has since led to the discovery of an important medieval manor house, a round tower and well.

The site is now believed to be part of what was once the largest settlement in medieval Wales.