Speaker. Diana Summers. Family History Society. Ancestors in the Great War. Partners/guestst

Researching 1st W.W. Ancestors. Over 40 Members and Guests were very fortunate to hear, as the Speaker on Monday 16th February, at The Rotary Club of March, was Diana Summer from the Cambridgeshire Family History Society. At her suggestion, she spoke in depth, with both light humour, and sincerity, on the life and service records of three ordinary heroes who gave their life for King and Country, during the 1st W.W. F.C. Bennett, A.H. Foster, and G.H. Horton were all direct relations of some audience members. Details, or as much as was known by the families, were given to Diana some six months prior. Using her many years of experience she was able to piece together, each mans background. From early life as a child, enlistment, postings, and finally their sad demise. Each window on these common men brought forth audible gasps of sympathy and compassion, as the reality of what they suffered, was revealed. One gentleman, killed in action, another destroyed by friendly fire that fell short. The third, lost when his minesweeper, a converted fishing smack, was struck by a mine, off Yarmouth. In, at times a sad but moving talk, and others, entertaining, she gave us an insight into the actual personal aspect of family history research. Michael Enderby, spoke for all in his vote of thanks. He added, the evening had encouraged him, and as it would seem many others, to venture into personal genealogy. It is not the dates; it is the story that joins them together. Our forbearers. Our flesh and blood. Robert Freeman Press Officer.