The Michael Heritage Trust was pleased with the feedback from visitors to their 18th Annual Exhibition at the weekend.  The theme this time was ‘Michael village and parish in the Great War’ in recognition of the 100th anniversary of the onset of hostilities.  Exhibits naturally included details of men who were born, lived or worked in the parish, both those who died and those who survived. 

Secretary of the Trust, James Kennaugh, explained that the exhibition also focussed on life in the parish at that time, and how many interesting details emerged – “It was fascinating to learn about the formation of the Loyal Manx Association Michael Section, how school children and others contributed to the National Egg Collection for wounded soldiers, the Belgian refugees who were housed in a furnished cottage in the village, the efforts of the Michael Needlework Guild, a number of well respected people from the parish who were in court for aiding aliens, and how young men who had emigrated from the parish before the war fought in the New Zealand, Australian, South African and Canadian Forces.  Lieutenant Mark Quayle gave up a lucrative job in India to return to sign up, but was severely wounded and became a prisoner of war. At the unveiling in 1922 of the Parish War Memorial designed by Archibald Knox, he laid the wreath on behalf of the ex-Servicemen from Michael.”  

He added “The research over many months by Mike Clague, one of our committee members, was helped considerably by access to the iMuseum and the Manx National Heritage Library, where the staff were a great help. Family history websites and other sites such as the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and National Archives of England, Canada and New Zealand all helped to find other pieces of information.”  The physical exhibits on show included a selection of medals, of special interest being the Chevalier of Legion of Honour of France and the Medal of Military Merit with Gold Palms from the King of the Hellenes.  Both were awarded to Lieutenant Commander George Cannan, who was in command of the Greek Naval Arsenal during part of the war, and was later seconded to the French Navy.

Poignant greetings cards sent home from France, a German rifle, recruitment poster, helmet, binoculars, photographs and other items all contributed to the very interesting exhibition.  The Trust are extremely grateful to Paul Cashin, Peter Kelly, David and Pat Cannan, Phyl Cashin, Joan Quayle, Winnie and John ‘Dog’ Callister, Roy Kennaugh, Liz Clague, Ian Corlett, Ean Cannell, Jen Cookson, Scott and Ewen Hutchinson, Kevin Cannell, James Kennaugh and others who kindly lent items for display.

A book, ‘Michael in the Great War’ written by Mike Clague for the Michael Heritage Trust, was on sale during the exhibition and remaining copies will be on sale in Kirk Michael. They cost ?5 and contain many fascinating stories that could not be included in the exhibition.

Photo - Roy Kennaugh (L) and Steve Hamer visit the exhibition.