Schools research First World War for book launches at Bow Church

Research by school pupils in east London into the impact the First World War had on the people of Bow and Mile End is being published in two books this weekend.

The Rev Debbie Frazer at last year's Bow Church summer fair. Picture: Mike Brooke - Credit: Mike Brooke

Youngsters from Bow and St Paul’s Way secondary schools worked with members of Bow Church congregation and descendants a soldier who died in battle.

They will be at the book launchings by the Rector of Bow Debbie Frazer at Saturday’s Bow Church summer fair at 2pm.

“We have several memorials remembering those who died in the Great War,” she said. “These include a battlefield cross with the names of 13 men of the Poplar and Stepney Rifles regiment who died at the 1915 Battle of Loos.”

The books delve into the lives of those whose names are on the battlefield cross and on the churchyard war memorial, including tradesmen, labourers, apprentices, church choir members, the son of Bryant & May match factory’s owner and members of Poplar & Stepney Rifles regiment who died at the Battle of Loos in 1915.

The books are part of a two-year Heritage Lottery-funded project to restore the church war memorials and researching the lives of those whose names appear on them. Proceeds go to the restoration fund for the 700-year-old church that sits on a traffic island in the Bow Road.