A poignant tribute to Farnham’s fallen soldiers will be presented by The Farnham Society at St Andrew’s Church, Farnham, on Thursday, November 30, at 7.30pm.

Titled What I Gave, I Have, the autumn talk draws inspiration from the Farnham war memorial in Gostrey Meadow and will illuminate the personal stories of five young men who sacrificed their lives in the First World War.

Organised with The Farnham Great War Group, the presentation will unveil the lives and fates of these heroes, commemorated in local cemeteries and across the channel. 

The event offers an informative and enjoyable social evening, exploring the significance of Commonwealth War Graves. A small entry donation (suggested at £7 for members, £10 for non-members) contributes to this year’s Poppy Appeal.

Confirm your attendance by emailing [email protected] 

This title of the talk, What I Gave, I Have, is taken from the inscription on the Gostrey Meadow war memorial.

A society spokesperson said: "Unless we have personal knowledge, little is known about the young men of Farnham who died in the First World War and in particular their personal stories. And yet we honour their memory and sacrifice every Remembrance Day.

"With a presentation by The Farnham Great War Group this event will tell the stories of five such Farnham men. Who they were and what happened to them in this dreadful conflict. 

"Three of them are commemorated in West Street Cemetery with one of them buried in a Commonwealth War Grave and two brothers commemorated on a plaque in St Andrew’s Church. A fourth is named at the Memorial Hall and finally, the fifth is buried in a Military Cemetery in France. Like several hundred thousand he never came home. 

"Please join us at this event for an informative and enjoyable social evening. Hear the stories that bring to ‘life’ what, previously, have just been names. The names of just ordinary young men living in Farnham and finding themselves having to step forward to serve in The Great War.

"The event will also provide some background on what Commonwealth War Graves are and why these can sometimes be spotted in our local cemeteries. Why here?"

The talk is free to attend, but a small entry donation would be appreciated (suggested at £7 members, £10 non-members) to go towards this year’s poppy appeal.

The Farnham Great War Group – who are they?

The event is run in conjunction with the Farnham Great War Group who, each year, take a name from one of the town's war memorials and then head across the channel to find the final resting place of that young man to help keep his history alive.