Unexamined Lives

The story of the 20th century as lived by residents in the Derbyshire village of Borrowash

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Brothers In Arms – Walter Greiner

The 1914 unofficial ‘Christmas Truce’ when British and German soldiers crossed trenches to exchange cigarettes, swap food, sing carols and even play football is one of the most poignant emblems of World War One.

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A Green Thought – Brian Day

Brian Day from Menheniot in Cornwall would agree with 17th century poet, Andrew Marvell, that there is little to beat a green thought in a green shade’.

 How well the skilful gardener drew

 Of Flowers and herbs this dial new,

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Almost Famous – Paul Jackson

‘So you want to be a rock ‘n’roll star
Then listen now to what I say
Just get an electric guitar
And take some time and learn how to play
And when you hair’s combed right and your pants fit tight
It’s gonna be all right.’

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One Man’s War – Francis Hasse

World War One occasioned the highest number of fatalities in military history, culling an entire generation; sometimes within weeks of arrival at the front.

Back home, photographs of sons, husbands and fathers; never to be wearied by age (or tested by life) shadowed successive generations … until time took its toll:

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At The Going Down Of The Sun And In The Morning – Borrowash at War

In 1980, Mary Hodges who knew just about everybody in Borrowash and had a longstanding connection with St Stephen’s was asked to organise an exhibition for the centenary of her church.

Thirty four years later, Mary found herself sitting at a table in Gordon Road, helping to plan commemorative activities for another milestone in the history of a village that has been her home for the past 52 years: the outbreak of the First World War.

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Church and State – John O’Sullivan

In the 20th century, a local post office was a crucial component of village life and during the First World War; women queued at its counter, hoping for news of husbands, brothers or sons at the Front.

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Sorting Her Act Out – Claire Anderson

Claire Anderson works for Hannell’s Estate Agent as a Sales Negotiator. She admires the ambition of the company and enjoys changing people’s lives by handing over the keys to a new home. It is a job with prospects and she knows that she’s a good prospect too.

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Behind Closed Doors – Robin King

In 1942, Tom Matchett started work at ‘Coates the Butcher’ in Borrowash.

He was 15 years old and the Victoria Avenue business was a popular fixture in the village with a growing reputation for service.

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War and Peace – Geoff Oakey

William Barron; gardener to the Earls of Harrington, was a nurseryman who designed Elvaston Castle’s distinctive and elegant gardens in the 19th century.

The fifth Earl, Leicester Stanhope, died in 1862, and Barron then built a business in Borrowash; winning an international reputation for landscape gardening, tree transplantation and Public Park design.

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In The Shadow of Saint-Quentin – Jack Slater

The 1918 Battle of Mont Saint-Quentin resulted in a famous victory for the Allied forces; characterised as much by its strategic importance as the acknowledged gallantry and daring of the troops.

General Henry Rawlinson who commanded the British Fourth Army spoke about the battle in grandiose terms, describing the Australian advances in the five day window of August 31st – September 4th as the outstanding military achievement of the First World War.

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