RESIDENTS of Beachley, Chepstow, came together this weekend to remember the year the area changed forever.

Guests gathered to hear from historians and representatives of 1RIFLES to commemorate the centenary of the mass eviction of the area in 1917.

On 3rd September 1917, all residents of Beachley received a letter ordering them, under the Defence of the Realm Act, to leave their home and land within 11 days to aid the war effort.

In the early months of 1917, while under constant threat from German U-Boats, the UK Government decided to boost shipbuilding capacity by building three new National Shipyards, the largest of which, number two, was at Beachley.

Their homes were taken over to create offices and some accommodation. Camps were built at Sedbury for the 3,000 to 5,000 Royal Engineers and at Beachley for the 4,000 German prisoners of war who were to carry out the construction of National Shipyard No2.

On Sunday (17th September) the Tidenham Historical Group put on a display to teach people more about the hidden past of the area, and on display was the original train carriage used on the shipyard, the old Severn Princess ferry, SARA, and the Coastguard. The former school was also open to visitors.

The day was opened by Lt Colonel Baker of 1RIFLES, after which a bugle demonstration was given as well as a performance by the Military Wives Choir.

The area changed forever in 1917, and 100 years on, Beachley faces new changes after the MOD announced last year that it intends to sell the area and move out of Chepstow by 2027.

Photos courtesy of Paul Hallifax.