Moving WWI performance at Derby Museums commemorates local people

On Saturday 24 November, Derby Museum and Art Gallery will showcase The Unreturning Army, a special performance by Cotton Grass Theatre commemorating the love, loss and bravery of local people who lived through the First World War.

Bringing together reminiscences, music and poetry, this poignant tribute will draw on the incredible stories of local people, including soldiers of the Sherwood Foresters regiment, Vera Brittain from Buxton who lost many loved ones during WWI, and Horace Johnson from Youlgreave who fought in Gallipoli.  Those attending can also treat themselves to a special Winter Afternoon Tea before the show.

Every pound raised from the performance will be doubled by the Heritage Lottery Fund to contribute towards Derby Museums’ Endowment campaign. David Frederickson from Cotton Grass Theatre commented:

“We are thrilled and proud to be performing The Unreturning Army in support of Derby Museums’ Endowment Fund. It feels very special to be sharing these powerful stories about local people from the First World War in this place. The money raised will help secure the future of Derby Museums so that everyone can continue to learn about Derby and Derbyshire’s important heritage.”

The performance is part of a wider programme of events at Derby Museums, being held to mark the Armistice centenary. It runs alongside the Museums’ latest exhibition, Derby from War to Peace which, in partnership with the 9th/12th Royal Lancers Museum, explores the contribution Derby made to the First World War during its closing months and the impact on the town in the immediate years after 1918.

https://www.derbymuseums.org/news/moving-wwi-performance-at-derby-museums-commemorates-local-people