A BOOK has been publishing telling the stories of the men from the Cotswold village of Ebrington who fought and died during the First World War.

Called "He longed for a drink of the cool water from the Long Well", it is the work of Ebrington Women’s Institute local history group and has been researched and written by 16 members and friends.

"This group count it as a great privilege to have recorded the lives of the 118 men from our parish who so willingly supported their country in its time of great need," said WI member Margaret Fisher. "The book pays tribute to those who lost their lives and praises the men who returned, having fought so valiantly on the battlefields of Europe and the Middle East. It also records those who stayed at home on the farms to feed the nation and its armed forces.

"The simple words ‘I long for a drink of the cool water from the Long Well’, written home by an Ebrington soldier from the heat of Egypt, inspired the opening up of the pages of history and the writing of this book one hundred years later. The Long Well is still an important feature in the centre of Ebrington village to this day.

"It was most appropriate the book was launched by Lt Col (Retd) Robert Dixon, chairman of the trustees, Soldiers of Gloucestershire Museum, as he has served as a commanding officer with the British Army, including commanding the 1st Battalion The Gloucestershire Regiment. The Regimental Museum in Gloucester has been a great source of information as many of Ebrington’s men served with ‘The Glosters’ during the Great War, as well as in 59 other regiments. "

The book was launched at an event in the village with an exhibition which highlighted some of the stories told in the book and included World War 1 artefacts. Any enquiries for the book can be made to Mrs Fisher on 01386 593221.