Poignant 'calls to arms' from Great War go on show

These precious visuals, which call men to arms, are part of an exhibition at the St Helens 'World of Glass', marking the 90th anniversary of the outbreak of WW1.

While the posters are sure to turn heads, a collection of documents from the front line (also on display) will touch hearts - and remind people of the horrors of war.

"Sitting in our comfortable homes nearly a century later, it is difficult to imagine the sheer hell that many young men went through in the Trenches," said the Social & Cultural Executive Member, Councillor Pinder.

"This is why these personal messages, donated to us by their relatives in St Helens, are so important.

"They bridge the gap between that generation and ours and make us realise that these were real people with friends and family, putting their lives on the line for the country they believed in."

The letters are made all the more poignant by photographs showing members of the 'St Helens Pals Battalion' (of the South Lancashire Regiment) - also presented to the exhibition by local residents.

Original pictures and artefacts from the Queen's Lancashire Regiment (successor to the South Lancashire) at Preston will be on display too.

Historians

As for the posters, uncovered back in the late 1980's during building work at the Library but never shown until now, they've been given the thumbs-up by local historians who are involved in the exhibition.

Councillor Pinder adds: "Although they come from a very different era, their message is compelling and it's easy to see why so many men were eager to enlist.

"Sadly, I don't think that those who took up its call knew what they were about to face - and thinking about what they went through is a truly humbling experience".

The exhibition entitled, C'mon Chums! - Glimpses of the Northern Town in WW1 runs from September 7 until November 14 at award winning World of Glass, Chalon Way, St Helens.

Opening hours are Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 5pm and admission is free.