VILLAGE historians have hailed residents for their support for a First World War commemoration project.

‘Brymbo Remembers 1918-2018’ is a project led by Brymbo Community Council and Brymbo Heritage Trust who have commissioned a book of remembrance, recording the lives and deaths of the 62 local men who died during or just after the conflict.

In their memory this book, compiled by Keith Walker and designed by Leon Bowen, will be published to coincide with Brymbo’s acts of remembrance on November 11.

Several families in the village have added to the information meticulously uncovered and documented by Keith with extra photographs and copies of correspondence.

This material is part of a display in St Mary’s Church which opened on Tuesday for viewing every afternoon until Sunday.

Jim Soulsby, from the heritage trust said the enthusiasm shown for the project has been heartening.

“It’s gone very well indeed”, he said.

“We are opening it up to the public this afternoon until Sunday.

“The memorial photos show 10 different servicemen from families from the village, including two or three who lived on after the war.”

He added: “The way the public and local residents have responded to the project has been really good.

“We’ve been inundated. The book Keith Walker has written will serve as a permanent record of people in the community from that time.

“I want to say a big thank you to everyone who has contributed, all the volunteers and especially Brymbo Community Council.”

In addition to the stories of the contribution the men made to the war effort there is a small exhibition recording what information could be gathered about the role of women – as mothers, daughters and sisters – and equally importantly their work contribution.

There is also a display of material concerning the parallel fight by women of the area for suffrage.

Poppies are a significant feature of the displays with a cascade being erected by Glen Monks and others from the Brymbo Crafty Ladeez using more than 2,000 hand knitted poppies, two external poppy bearing crosses and a display of other poppy based crafts.

Also on present at the church is a perspex ‘There But Not There’ figure of a First World War Tommy sculpture.

There are 57 of the names currently recorded on the village war memorial but there are a further five to be recorded.

At the Act of Remembrance these names will be added to the memorial commissioned by the Community Council.

The act of Remembrance at 11am on Sunday is being led by the Archdeacon of Wrexham, the Rev John Lomas and Methodist Minister Rev Richard Parkes.

Brymbo St Mary’s Church is also hosting a further service at 6pm and a concert with the Brymbo Male Voice Choir, the Gresford Hand Bell Ringers, and drama students from Coleg Cambria; accompanied by appropriate readings and Brymbo stories. All are welcome.