THE MEN of Worth Project has been given a plaque honouring Oakworth war veteran Norman Feather.

The history group hopes the memorial will become the centrepiece of a display showcasing Norman’s harrowing First World War experiences.

Members are restoring the memorial and will combine it with photographs and documents gleaned from their own research into Norman’s story.

The memorial plaque has Norman’s two original medals, a full-length photograph of him in uniform and a carving of a First World War tank.

Earlier this month Keighley News highlighted the fruits of the Men of Worth volunteers’ research after they communicated with one of Norman’s former neighbours.

Norman often related his war experiences to neighbour Peter Morell while living at Far Low Bank Farm near Oakworth.

Norman had enlisted in 1915 at the age of 17 – two years under the official age – joining the Northumberland Fusiliers because he liked the uniform.

Four out of five members of Norman’s Tyneside Scottish Brigade were killed, gassed or wounded during the war.

Norman’s own baptism of fire came as he marched with a childhood friend across France towards the trenches, singing and laughing.

Suddenly a German shell smashed into the Allied lines and Norman’s friend was blown to pieces.

On another occasion Norman was threatened with being strapped to a gun carriage as punishment for stepping out of line to greet his brother Harry.

And in the worst incident of Norman’s war service, immediately after he discovered his other brother Laban had been killed in action, Norman was ordered to execute some German prisoners.

Men of Worth founder Andy Wade said it was believed Norman gave the memorial plaque to a friend called Betty White, who later passed it to local woman Doris Woollett.

Mrs Woollett had the plaque on her wall for many years, but after seeing the Keighley News article about Norman she contacted Mr Wade to offer it as a gift to the Men of Worth Project.

Mr Wade added: “There's only one piece of glass left in the memorial and that is cracked, but we'll look at replacing the glass panels and take some advice on restorine the memorial.

“The mirror seems to be in good condition and the woodwork is sound, so it's in pretty good order.”

The plaque is likely to be form part of a display at a future Heritage Day in Keighley Family History Library, when several local organisations will exhibit their research.