Young minds will have the opportunity to learn about local individuals and their efforts during the Battle of the Somme in a novel way with the comic ‘For Valour,’ illustrated by Stephen Mooney from DC Comics.
Funded by the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Armagh County Museum, Craigavon Museum Services and Monaghan County Museum have developed a cross border project to tell the unique stories of three people from each area.
Using the medium of a comic book, the real-life stories of Private Thomas Hughes VC from Monaghan, Private Tommy Chambers from Armagh and Anne Acheson from Portadown will be brought to life.
Making their own unique contribution, the three individuals served significant roles during the horrors of the Somme.
The cover of ‘For Valour’ – opening young minds about local individuals and their efforts during the Battle of the Somme.
Private Thomas Hughes VC, who saw action during the long battle, was awarded the Victoria Cross, the Army’s highest military honour and, although dying on the first day of battle, Private Tommy Chambers’ diary has provided a grim account of the War for generations to come.
Anne Acheson pioneered the innovative use of papier-mâché to make the splint as we know today.
Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon, Councillor Garath Keating commented: “This innovative and creative way of recounting our shared history provides our young people with a unique opportunity to learn about the lives and stories of three local people during the darkest days of World War I. Their contribution, bravery and experiences are truly a story worth sharing and remembering.”
Targeting and engaging with young minds about this important history has always been a challenge to museums that is why the three stories have been reimagined in this creative style to appeal to the youth of today.
Enlisting the expertise of Dublin based comic book writer and artist Stephen Mooney and engaging with relatives the creators crafted out an accurate story in an attractive and edgy style.
To find out how to get a copy of ‘For Valour’, please contact the Craigavon Museum Services, Lough Neagh Discovery Centre, Oxford Island, telephone 028 3831 1669.
