大象传媒

A Devon woman is trying to find out more information about the remarkable achievements of her grandfather during World War 1.

Margaret Gleeson, from Honiton, has inherited her grandfather's memorabilia, which has sparked her determination to learn more about his exploits.

The memorabilia includes postcards sent back from France, photographs, medals and award citations.

Margaret's grandfather, Frederick Plucknett, was a 44-year-old father of three working as a plumber in Bristol when he was called up on the day that war broke out in September 1914.

He started the war as a Quartermaster Sergeant in charge of stores, but by the end of it he was an Acting Captain - promoted in the field because of his gallantry.

He was mentioned in dispatches on three occasions for gallantry and distinguished services in the field, and his medals bear the oak leaf which signifies this. And on his return from the war, he went to Buckingham Palace to receive the military OBE.

Margaret with the memorabilia

Margaret tells the story: "My grandfather was in the territorials, and on the day that war was declared he received a telegram telling him to report to Horfield Barracks in Bristol at 6am the following morning.

"My mother Lillian, remembers listening during the night, while he was packing and getting everything ready.

"So he was in right from the start, and we know he was sent to France in late 1914 or early 1915 because of the postcards he sent back. And he stayed out there for the entire duration of the war, so he was there till the end.

"On the postcards he sent back, he wrote 'Somewhere in France'. The messages to my mother and my aunt and uncle show how hard it must all have been.

"There's one postcard to his young son - my uncle, where he writes 'Dear Freddy. Hope you are well and a good boy. Don't forget to order a taxi for dad when he comes home'.

"And another one to my grandmother in 1915 says 'Just a card to tell you to keep smiling through Christmas'. But they would have known what was happening in France and Belgium, so it would have been difficult.

"Some of the cards are beautifully made with silk embroidery.

Frederick on his white horse, amid the ruins

"And many of the other postcards show pictures of the damaged towns and villages. He was definitely in Paschendale, but we don't know if he was at The Somme, although some of the postcards are from there.

"Some of the place names written on the front of the postcards were scribbled over - but very poorly, so you could see the name of the town or village (the cards have names on them like Amiens, Arras, Hebuterne, Thiepval, Soyecourt, and Maricourt).

"We know that he was in the Royal Gloucestershire Artillery Volunteers before the war, and I think he was in the Gloucestershire Regiment, so it would be nice to find out more about which battles they were involved in.

"My grandfather never talked about the war when he got back - I think because it was all too awful. He wasn't physically injured, but he was affected by a gas attack which left him with bronchial problems - although he lived until he was 83.

"One thing we do know is that he had his horse shot from under him, but he survived. He had this lovely white horse, which had to be covered in mud to make it less visible.

"He was also buried three times when explosions happened near him, throwing mud and everything over him. So he had to be dug out.

"He must have been a very good manager of men, and also a very resilient and brave man because he was promoted in the field and he came back as an Acting Captain.

Collecting his OBE at the Palace with wife Lizzie

"His going to Buckingham Palace to collect the OBE is the pride of the family, really. It's and extraordinary story because he was a plumber and a volunteer in the territorials before the war.

"He was demobbed in 1919, and went to work for his brother's vinegar manufacturing firm.

"I have become very interested in his story, and our family's history in recent years. My mother died in 1985, and I now have all these postcards and photographs and medals, and I just want to know more.

"I'm the only grandchild and I'm nearly 80, and I think it's important to keep these memories.

"If only I'd asked more, then I'd have more to tell.

"I believe it is also important to continue to remember what has happened in the past. If we paid attention to history, we wouldn't get into the situations we are still getting into now.

"People keep on making the same mistakes.

"Luckily, my daughters are interested in history - my eldest, Elizabeth, in particular. So all of this collection will be passed on.

"But should there come a time when the family no longer wants to keep it, then I'd like it to go to the Imperial War Museum because I think it should be kept."

November 2008 sees the 90th anniversary of Armistice. The 大象传媒 is marking 90 years of remembrance with a series of events around the country, and with a special website where people can post family memories and stories - see the link on this page.

In Devon, you can discover more about your family history and share photographs and artefacts from the Great War at an event at Exeter Central Library in Castle Street, Exeter, on Saturday 8 November from 10am to 3.30pm.

The event is free and open to everyone.