Report: Martin Jones

‘The man who shod war horses’ tells the pre/post war family story of John Westhead who in 1913 was the Newburgh village blacksmith.

When the Lathom Remount Depot opened there was a great demand for smiths/farriers; John (pictured outside the smithy) signed up aged 42, went to France in March 1916 to look after the horses - and was killed in October 1916.

You can hear his fascinating story in full - including archive material taken from original documents and letters - at The Civic on Friday 2, November at 7.30; tickets are £10.