War Stories
Explore Mark’s extensive research on East Bergholt’s war heroes in our ‘War Stories’ section. Read below to learn about his background and ongoing dedication to preserving their memories.
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- East Bergholt War Stories by Mark Ashmore
- 51.96974, 1.012393
Details
Mark’s fascination with history began in childhood, a passion that later led him to study the subject at degree level, specialising in later medieval English politics. Over time, his interest increasingly focussed – though by no means exclusively – on the two world wars. This deepening curiosity eventually led Mark, already experienced in historical research, to delve into the lives of the men and women of East Bergholt who served during these global conflicts. What began as a personal project in 2006 quickly evolved into a mission, driven by the hope of ensuring these individuals are remembered not merely as names on a memorial, but as real people with stories worth telling.
The extensive research undertaken by Mark has involved hundreds of hours spent meticulously poring over old newspapers, documents, maps, and books, as well as making numerous visits to the battlefields of Western Europe. His dedication has led him to interview some of the village’s Second World War veterans (now all sadly deceased) and the relatives of others who served. This work is far from over: , New sources (such as the 1921 Census) are still being released and Mark remains on the lookout for potential relatives who can may be able to shed new light on the men and women concerned.
Although Mark tends to slow down his research during the summer, he is preparing for a productive winter. His main focus will be writing up more stories about those who served in the Great War and those who died in the Second. His goal is to have the majority of the Great War stories ready by the time Second World War service records are released in a few years, allowing him to dive deeply into the history of those who served in that conflict.
The results of his efforts have already been shared in various forms, including talks, articles, and contributions to the annual Remembrance Sunday Services at St. Mary’s, thanks to the encouragement of Rev. Steph. These stories are also available in the War Heroes section of the Society’s website, with more to be added periodically as Mark continues his work. Mark welcomes anyone with an interest in the village’s servicemen and women to get in touch, ensuring that the stories of these war heroes continue to be told.
Mark will be doing a talk in November at Constable Hall, so please watch this space for more details………..
- 68
- East Bergholt War Stories by Mark Ashmore
- 51.96974, 1.012393