THE story of a huge group of men from one neighbourhood who went to war and never came home is fast becoming Oxfordshire’s most popular exhibition on the First World War.

The 66 Men of Grandpont project, started by Oxford historian Liz Woolley, has now opened at Oxfordshire History Centre in Cowley as part of a tour of the county.

It will stay there until January 23, then pop up again at Oxford Town Hall Gallery from July 16 to October 8 as part of a broader First World War exhibition.

The history centre’s local studies manager, Mark Lawrence, said he was delighted to have been able to grab the acclaimed show on its tour.

He said: “Liz Woolley and her team have produced a compelling display of images and information, telling the tragic story of these sons of Grandpont.

“In her historical research Liz has shown how you can weave together national sources, like census data from the National Archives and casualty data from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, with local sources like Oxfordshire History Centre, including electoral rolls and newspapers, to unearth the story of individual soldiers and their families, and reveal the impact on the community they left behind.

“One local newspaper in particular, the Oxford Journal Illustrated, is a rich source of photos of local soldiers – often providing the only known image of them.”

Oxfordshire History Centre at St Luke’s Church, Temple Cowley, is open every day except Sunday, Monday and bank holidays from 9am to 5pm, or 10am on Tuesdays.

Ms Woolley will be giving a free talk about the project at the town hall on Saturday, July 16, at 10.30am.