Cowes and the Great War (DVD)

Of all the towns on the Isle of Wight, the most significant role was played by Cowes and East Cowes. For it was there that no fewer than around 100 warships and 200 war planes were constructed by J. Samuel Whites.

The film, which focuses on the Cowes side of the River Medina tells the story of how Northwood House became a Red Cross convalescent hospital for injured soldiers. It also features accounts of people who served and died in that terrible conflict, which spread across so much of Europe.

Children from local schools read letters sent home from the Western Front and there is a story of an officer from Cowes who not only survived the dreadful Gallipoli campaign but was also highly decorated.

Filmed months before his death was a 103 year old who remembered Scottish troops marching through Cowes en route to France.

The film also endeavours to capture the sheer relief and boundless joy of people in Cowes when in November 1918, news of the Armistice arrived.