Greetham and the Great War - How a Rutland village played
its part in the Great War
By David and Paul Bland
Published in 2014 by Little School Publishing, Greetham,
Rutland
www.littleschoolpublishing.co.uk
ISBN 9780992602017
David Bland is known to many of us as an accomplished local historian with an abiding interest in his
home village of Greetham and local military units. Together with his son Paul, he has brought these
interests together in this sumptuous and fascinating record of Greetham during the First World War.
The stated aim of Little School Publishing, created by David and Paul is to 'bring local social history to
life'. This is certainly achieved in this large scale fully illustrated paperback. It is illustrated
throughout with colour and sepia illustrations which both enhance and enliven the text.
As a point of departure with most Great War village histories they then go on to describe and record
the ancestors of current residents of Greetham who served in the war but who were not connected
with the village. This gives the book a sense of perspective, and enhances the community feel of the
project. Interspersed with these memories and reminiscences, contemporary illustrations,
photographs, pictures of medals and portraits of the servicemen and their descendants are some
valuable stories and records.
The story of āCā Company Rutland Volunteers and the local Zeppelin raid are most valuable within a
more general Rutland context and should not be overlooked. The inclusion of photographs of modern
re-enactors dressed in Great War service uniforms and photographed around the village adds a nice
touch to a handsomely produced publication that will be of interest not only to those with knowledge
and connection of Greetham but also of those who take an interest in Rutland and the Great War in
general.
HJC