The Great War came as a shock to the citizens of Bury St Edmunds, a rural Suffolk town. One day they were celebrating a beautiful, hot August bank holiday at a large well-attended country fête; the next they were plunged into the deadliest war in history. Men from the Suffolk Regiment, who were based in the town's barracks, marched off to war and fought valiantly in Flanders, France and Gallipoli. Folk left at home devoted their time and energy to supporting the troops, the war effort and themselves, but they also found time to mark the 700th anniversary of the drawing up of Magna Carta in the local abbey and the tercentenary of Shakespeare's death. The reality of the war was brutally brought home by the heavy losses of the Suffolk Regiment, and by Zeppelin attacks on Bury in 1915 and 1916. The first attack caused a lot of damage, and the second attack was considerably more serious. Seven people were killed and there were a number of injuries. Just a few miles from Bury, a battlefield was re-created on the Elveden estate for training troops in the use and mechanics of tank warfare. Elveden had formerly been owned by the last Maharajah of the Punjab and his son, Prince Frederick Duleep Singh, fought for the British in both the Suffolk and Norfolk regiments. Bury St Edmunds in the Great War tells the remarkable story of a town whose citizens refused to give in, who strived to fight the odds that were stacked against them. They worked hard to ensure the defeat of the kaiser and consequently, in recognition of their war efforts, Bury was awarded a captured German Kaffir tank in 1919. AUTHOR: Glynis Cooper's family has its roots in the industrial millscapes of Manchester. She was born in Stockport, but grew up near Bury St Edmunds and spent ten years living and working in Cambridge before returning to Manchester. Her parents were writers who inspired her enthusiasm for the written word. Glynis, who loves islands and the open countryside, trained in the dual disciplines of librarianship and archaeology. She enjoys reading, researching and writing local histories, travelling and playing chess. SELLING POINTS: ? Home of Magna Carta ? the famous charter was drawn up in 1214 at St Edmundsbury Abbey. ? Unique insight into the daily life of a very rural town between 1914-1918. ? Zeppelin aircraft attacks cause terror, damage, injuries and deaths. ? Pioneering work in tank testing and training in use of tanks. ? Son of the last Maharaja of the Punjab a serving officer. ? Awarded a German Kaffir tank for the town's contribution to the Great War.
