A unique expression of love which helped a soldier through the horrors of the First World War has been revealed.
Through his experience of trench warfare, Osborne Wrigley kept with him a handmade book from his girlfriend, Dora Pimley.
The keep-sake contained stories, anecdotes and photographs of his family and friends.
Inside there was a heartfelt plea from Dora to Osborne to make it back home to her.
Osborne survived the 1914-18 conflict, as did the love letter, which is now a cherished family heirloom.
On the eve of the 100th anniversary of the start of the Great War, the deeply personal item has now been shown to the Express by the Sally Wrigley, the widow of Osborne and Dora’s son, Ross.
Sally, 91, right, from Bollington, said: “I wanted to share the book because it is an amazing artifact that has survived the trenches.
“Osborne would never discuss what he experienced during the war, especially his time in the trenches. It was so awful he didn’t want to remember. But the book must have meant a lot to him because he kept it safe and brought it back.”
The book, dated August 3, 1916, makes romantic reference to Dora being the princess and Osborne a prince. There is a page for every member of his family. Even the family dog gets a mention as do neighbours living on the same street.
Dora wrote: ‘Have you, dear Osborne, received the message of this little book? I think you have, for always you have heard my call.
‘As you look at the old familiar faces, may these do you real good and make your life a little brighter, a little happier knowing that all think of you each day and wish you well’.
Dora and Osborne were reunited and married. They spent more than 60 years happily married and died within two years of each other in the 1970s, living in Poynton.
The book was discovered with Osborne’s war medals and uniform badges, in among Dora’s things after she died.
Sally said: “They were devoted to each other throughout their entire lives. It’s a lovely heirloom for the family to keep as a reminder of where this family started.”
