Phil Gillam: How Shropshire will mark Wilfred Owen's last 100 days

Indeed, he wrote some of the very finest poetry about World War I.

And then in November 1918 he was killed in action at the age of 25 – just one week before the Armistice.

Of course we are talking about the great Wilfred Owen.

And his life and work are about to be celebrated through a whole host of special events – all under the umbrella title of Wilfred Owen 100 – The Last 100 Days.

Yes, I know Wilfred was born in Oswestry and this column is called ‘Shrewsbury Matters’ and not ‘Oswestry Matters’ but Owen and his family eventually moved to Shrewsbury, of course, and Wilfred attended Shrewsbury Technical School (which later became the Wakeman School) and graduated in 1911 at the age of 18.

The home in Monkmoor Road where he spent his teenage years was - in 2014 - given Grade II listed status and a blue plaque commemorating the connection.

It was at this semi-detached house, which was built in 1910, that the poet's parents learned of his death. His mother Susan received the news on November 11, 1918, while the bells of Shrewsbury rang out in celebration of the Armistice.

The landscape of the area where he grew up appeared in the verses he wrote in the trenches of wartime France.

At the time he lived in Monkmoor Road he would have been able to look out over the open fields which then surrounded the house.

And the young Wilfred used to walk down to church in nearby Uffington with his family.

An excellent new brochure listing all the events lined up for ‘100 Days’ has just been published by Shrewsbury Heritage on behalf of Shropshire Remembers, the county’s First World War partnership.

If you haven’t already done so, grab yourself a copy.

The 32-page brochure lists the events from early August to the centenary of Armistice Day on November 11 when Shropshire will be joining the national remembrance of this historic day. A host of organisations is putting on special events to remember Wilfred Owen and the First World War to pay tribute to him and the thousands of soldiers who gave their lives during the conflict.

The brochure is being distributed free around Shropshire through libraries, theatres, visitor information centres and other outlets. There will be an online version at shropshireremembers.org.uk

Over the last three years Shropshire communities have been working in partnership to deliver an extensive and ambitious programme of heritage and arts activities to commemorate the centenary of the First World War, funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and Arts Council, England.

This programme will conclude in a large-scale commemoration this year of the 100th anniversary of Wilfred Owen’s death.

With a focus on Shrewsbury and Oswestry, Shropshire’s Wilfred Owen 100 will remember him with poetry readings, a First World War Film Festival, music, talks, new artworks, themed guided walks, open art competition and much more. Events will reflect the emotion, exhibitions, installations and projects from the 2014-2018 commemorative period and celebrate one of Shropshire’s most renowned sons.

Wilfred served as a Lieutenant in the 2nd Manchester Regiment, winning the Military Cross for bravery in action.

Today two volumes of his hand-written verse are to be found in the vaults of the British Library alongside the greatest writers in the English language.

The brochure will help visitors and local residents to follow in Wilfred Owen’s footsteps by participating in the self-guided walks around Oswestry and Shrewsbury, which can be downloaded free of charge. There are also some permanent attractions to visit with First World War links, such as the trenches at Park Hall near Oswestry, and the Shropshire Regimental Museum at Shrewsbury Castle.

An exhibition of the Life and Times of Wilfred Owen will be on show at Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery from August 4 throughout the 100 days.