A new illustrated presentation is being launched to tell the story of Saltash during various conflicts through the ages.

‘Saltash at War’ will be launched at the Saltash Library Hub on Thursday, May 25 at 2pm as part of the Library’s Community History Month, which runs between May 22 and 31.

The project in support of the Saltash Town Council’s ongoing educational programme of events, was devised by local resident Barry Brooking, an RN/RM Commando ‘veteran’ who realised that although Saltash had many publications which mentioned its part in war, there was not a complete publication or programme covering the whole story as a whole.

A small group volunteering from the Saltash Great War Commemorative Events and Projects Committee, comprising of chair Sue Hooper, Peter Clements, Bill Dent, John Hooper, Martin Lister, Lynn and Tony Marsh and Barry Brooking, who has led the project, has traced from local periodicals and other local history sources, the experience of Saltash at War directly and indirectly from the Romans, one of only three Norman Castles in Cornwall is sited in Saltash at Trematon Castle.

The presentation also features Drake’s ‘Treasure Ships’, the bitter fighting of the Civil War which Saltash changed hands eight times, two Victoria Crosses, the first general officer to be killed in the Boer War, the first ship-to-ship radio communication and in addition, the first and second world wars; including Saltash’s association with Lawrence of Arabia. HMS Saltash, which was built in 1918 and was a World War II minesweeper, is also mentioned.

It additionally features the loss of six AFS firemen, who lost their lives in 1941, helping Plymouth City in the ‘Blitz’, which resulted in the largest loss of life sustained in one incident by the fire service in England and Wales in WW2.

The presentation contains many original photographs and will include time for questions and discussions.

Various members of the group will offer to show the presentation to local groups and local schools following the first showing on May 25, starting at 2pm, where it can be used to add to the National curriculum for local studies; these will be arranged at a later date. 

The Saltash at War group hope that some residents who went through World War II will attend and share their stories.