THE launch of Wiltshire at War is taking place on Friday, August 17, at 7pm in Malmesbury.

Taking place at the Old School Room, in the Town Hall, the project aims to bring people together from across Wiltshire to discover, explore and share stories about Wiltshire’s response to the First World War.

It is the culmination of a five year Heritage Lottery funded project.

The project has gathered stories of life in Wiltshire from 1914-1918 and presented them as a series of five exhibits.

The exhibits are titled The Call to Arms, Wiltshire Does its Bit, A Child’s War, Keeping the Homes Fires Burning and Peace and Aftermath.

All five exhibits are free and available to view from August 18, to September 21, from Malmesbury Abbey, Library, Town Hall, Athelstan Museum, John Bowen Gallery and the United Reformed Church.

Wine and soft drinks will be available for the launch on Friday.

Charles Vernon will also be hosting a final illustrated talk about Malmesbury during the First World War.

The talk will take place on Wednesday, August 22, at the Town Hall beginning at 7.30pm.

Charles will explain the continuing black out, food shortages, rationing, the call up of men up to age 50 and the dispatch of 18-year-olds to the Western Front.