Albany Memorial Library Book Launch & Author Talk

When local author, historian & Albany Memorial Library volunteer curator Lesley Dixon (Wilson) wrote in the sand on a beach in Muriwai, New Zealand, of her intention to be in the U.K. on her next birthday, she could have no idea that it could happen in such a magnificent way. While her original intention was to see her children for the first time in two years, she had also been involved in a research project since 2013, examining the lives of men from the district of Albany, who had left their hometown to fight in the First World War.

"The more I looked at the photographs & the more information my genealogist friend Audrey uncovered, the more connected I became to these men, especially those who had died such a long way from home. I knew how I felt not having seen my children for a couple of years, so I could only imagine how grief stricken the Mothers who lost their sons must have felt at the prospect of never seeing them again. They weren't in a position to visit their graves. So I would travel abroad and honour them. It became my mission”.

This book is the culmination of that pilgrimage and her research into the Memorial Library building & the men immortalised there. It is the definitive guide to this very special local historic building. Lesley is an engaging public speaker, she will talk about the history of the Memorial Library, her journey to discover the men & their stories. This talk would also be interesting for students learning about local history & Anzac Day.

Copies of the book will be available to purchase on the day.