100th anniversary of Black Country bombings marked at Walsall museum

On the night of January 31, 1916, Walsall, Wednesbury, Tipton and Bradley were bombed by Zeppelins. Thirty-five people lost their lives including the then Mayoress Mary Julia Salter.

Museum staff are marking the anniverary of that fateful night with an exhibition toWalsall's contribution to the First World War.

Walsall at War, which will be on display at the museum until April 16, is centred around the shell of what is believed to be one of the incendiary bombs dropped on the town.

It also features weapons, medals, and souvenirs from the borough's men on the front-line, Jerome K. Jerome's Red Cross uniform and goods produced locally by men and women during the war.

Collections officer Catherine Lister said: "The Zeppelin strikes hit Walsall hard in more ways than one, the loss of life was so tragic we still remember it today.

"We thought this exhibition would be a good way to mark the centenary anniversary, using the bomb shell as a centrepiece.

"It is quite eye-catching and I imagine that it would be the main thing for people to see.

"However, on a wider scale, we have tried to put across the impact the war had on people in Walsall, both those who lost their lives in battle and those who stayed at home to make goods that became crucial to the war effort.

"If people were to take away anything from Walsall at War, I would hope that they realise how Walsall really was involved, the town and its people suffered but they also played their part in turning tragedy into victory."

The centenary of the Walsall bombings will also be marked with a service this Sunday, at St Andrews Church, Birchills Street, at 3pm.