THE scrawled but perfectly legible messages, written by William Whitfield Peadon in fading pencil, are really rather mundane notes to his friends and family in Weardale.

They say nothing of the horror of the trenches, provide no detail of life on the front line and contain a distinct lack of anything military related.

Yet for historians such as David Heatherington, curator of Weardale Museum, in County Durham, they are a fascinating glimpse into a time of turmoil and conflict.

The 24 postcards feature pictures embroidered in silk on the front of thick white card, some of the backings embossed with patterned edges.

They were made by Belgian and French refugees, who sold them to the British soldiers to send home.

One features a bi-plane sporting Union Flag wings, another a picturesque village scene above a message wishing the reader a merry Christmas.

Others also have messages, including “greetings from the trenches”, “be with you day by day” and “to my dear sweetheart” in delicately crafted lettering.

They also feature the flags of the Triple Entente member countries, and floral motifs woven in pastel shades of silk thread.

They are, in essence, distinctly dainty, almost doily-like, a far cry from the brutality of a soldier’s life during the First World War.

Mr Heatherington says: “They are fascinating and show a great deal of skill and delicacy.

“It is amazing they have lasted so long and they just give a different flavour of war life.

“They were made by French and Belgian refugees and sold to the soldiers to make some sort of income.

“They don’t have any detail about what William was actually doing in the trenches, but they are nonetheless very interesting.”

William Peadon, from St John’s Chapel, sent the cards from the front to his friends and family, including ones addressed to his father and others to a Miss Jackson, who worked at the King’s Head Inn, in the village.

As well as the silk collection, William also sent numerous painted picture postcards home, which will be on display along with photographs of Weardale taken at around the time of the conflict.

They have all been given to the museum, in Ireshopeburn, by William Peadon’s daughter, Marion Martin, who lives in St John’s Chapel, and will be on display when the museum opens for the season tomorrow.

The museum has an eclectic mix of artefacts and information depicting the industrial heritage and homely history of Weardale.

And to mark the 100th anniversary of the start of the First World War, it will put on a display dedicated to dales folk who fought in the conflict.

Mr Heatherington says: “We already have some information on those who were killed, but we want to gather even more stories.

“We are especially keen to get some artefacts, such as medals and the like, to put on display.

“We would be happy if people just wanted to loan us the items, because I understand these can be very precious memories and mementoes for the families.”

Several dozen men from Weardale went to fight in the First World War but never returned, and they are remembered in a variety of ways throughout the dale, as well as on the ten official memorial statues.

Eighteen of the fallen had been pupils at Wolsingham Grammar School, now Wolsingham School and Community College, and in March 1918, 18 oak trees were planted along the playing field.

The memorial oaks have been officially recognised as probably the first memorial to the First World War by the Imperial War Museum, with the principal monument, the Cenotaph at Whitehall, in London, not installed until 1919.

Residents of Westgate have also rallied around in memory of 13 villagers killed during the war.

They raised £15,700 to repair the memorial clock installed at the town hall in 1920.

  • Weardale Museum is open for the Easter Weekend, tomorrow until Monday, from 2pm to 5pm, then from May 1 to October 31.

It can also be opened for organised trips and groups.

To donate or loan exhibits, email dtheatherington@ormail.co.uk or call 01388- 517433.