An exhibition, poems, performance and services will mark the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War and to honour the 35 fallen soldiers of a north Shropshire parish.

Welshampton and Lyneal Parish Council has worked closely with local historians, community groups, the village school and parish churches to organise the three-day series on November 9, 10 and 11, which will culminate in two remembrance services.

The event, Our Gallant 35 – Their Lives, Their Families, Their Community, includes in-depth research on the 35 soldiers, both men and women, who lost their lives as a result of the 1914-18 war, their families, homes and villages, including the tragic story of the Smith family from Lyneal who lost three sons as well as tribute to local women who served in the nursing auxiliary.

Chairman of the organising committee, Councillor Sheila Stringer, said the research had produced some fascinating stories.

“This has been a real community project to remember these young people who lost their lives. The population of the parish was much smaller at the time and so the loss of 35 was a huge percentage,” she said.

The event begins on Friday, November 9 with a service for village school children, their parents and villagers from 2pm.

The exhibition, poetry readings and performance will take place on Saturday, November 10 in Welshampton Parish Hall from 11am to 4pm.

The exhibition includes display panels on each of the 35 fallen soldiers with extracts from historical documents and personal mementoes. It will also feature the presentation of a community service award from the parish council at midday.

In the afternoon there will be a tribute in words and song to the Gallant 35 starting at 2.45pm. It includes a specially written poem composed and read by Wem poet Ted Eames, a short play organised by Welshampton Bonfire Committee, a poem written by one of the 35 soldiers remembering Colemere and a specially written song performed by a local singer. The day will close with the playing of the Last Post.

Remembrance services will be held on Sunday at St Michael and All Angels, Welshampton at 10.30am and St John the Evangelist, Colemere at 4pm.

Descendants of the Gallant 35 have been invited to attend the events and Cllr Stringer said one family was travelling from West Sussex. to see the exhibition material.

“The community has been at the centre of the project and it has unearthed archive material that was previously unknown. As a result we are planning to produce a book for the parish as a lasting legacy to our Gallant 35,” she said.