Yeovil in the Great War 1914-18

A NEW book written by local historian Jack Sweet looking back at Yeovil in the Great War of 1914-18 has been published.

Jack takes a look at those momentous years from the outbursts of patriotic fervour of August 1914 when many believed the war would be over by Christmas, to the Armistice of November 1918 and a short time beyond.

He recalls how Yeovil welcomed Belgian refugees fleeing the German invasion of their home land, how the Baptist Newnam Memorial Hall was converted into a hospital for wounded soldiers, the beginnings of Westland Aircraft and of a test pilot who was later convicted of murder.

There is an account of a deserter from the Salonkia Front and how young women from many parts of the country helped to harvest the important crops.

Jack relates how the town suffered in the influenza pandemic of 1918 and how the Peace Treaty of July 1919 was celebrated.

“Scarcely a Yeovil family remained untouched by the Great War,” said Jack. “More than 200 would lose their lives and several hundred more would be wounded.”

Yeovil in the Great War 1914-18 is published by Fonthill Media. The book is priced £12.99.

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