A PROJECT that is looking to dig a little deeper into Trowbridge’s contribution towards the First World War effort is calling on locals to help unearth information about the town’s military history.

History groups Wiltshire Soldiers and Preserve Our Past are joining forces to put together a film and exhibition, full with residents’ memories of the Trowbridge barracks. They will look at some of the locations and personnel unique to the First World War story of Trowbridge.

Historian and author Richard Broadhead says the project is looking for information on this topic, old photographs and an untold story or two.

“This is a really exciting project that will champion Trowbridge’s magnificent, and perhaps not fully appreciated, contribution during the Great War,” he said.

“Not many people know that Trowbridge was just one of 40 places across the country that raised more than £1m in war bonds to help with the war effort.

“These were issued by the government to incentivise patriotic citizens to hand the government their money, with a small interest rate, to help with the war effort.

“Many people may recall that Trowbridge had an old tank in the town park up until the 1940’s, when it was sold off for scrap, but we got this because of the town’s incredible support.

“This £1m helped pay for aircraft and other vital military equipment over those four years and it does not get talked about enough.”

The information will then form part of an exhibition called ‘Every Face’ during Armed Forces Weekend in late June.

“We want to celebrate the town’s contribution by telling some stories, for instance about the Trowbridge Barracks,” he said.

“They were built in 1794 by contractor John Scobell and originally stationed a troop of cavalry being before removed in 1961.”

If you would like to come forward with a story or a photograph, email preserveourpast@hotmail.co.uk