Shropshire Star

Love letters are diamond

A diamond made from the ashes of love letters written to remember a poignant relationship between two soldiers in the Second World War will be unveiled this month.

Published
Gilbert Bradley

The story of Oswestry-based artilleryman, Gilbert Bradley, and infantryman, Gordon Bowsher who defied the law to write more than 600 letters to each other captured the hearts of people in Shropshire and beyond.

Interest in the forbidden love story led to an arts council grant for a special project in Oswestry last September which saw hundreds of love letters written by people young and old, burnt in a special post box and sent to the Heart in Diamond company which turns ash into a diamond.

Mark Hignett, the curator of Oswestry Museum, who bought the letters on ebay, said that the diamond would be unveiled at a tea dance in the town on February 24.

It will form the centrepiece of the museum's exhibition of the letters: Gilbert and Gordon, for all the world to see.

Mr Hignett said the international interest in the letters had been phenomenal.

"I bought them purely because of the link with Park Hall camp in Oswestry. At first I thought the 'G' signature on the letters to Gilbert was that of a woman but as I read more I realised it was another man.

"As well as the diamond project I am in talks with a Hollywood producer about the rights to turning Gilbert and Gordon's story into a film. We met up recently to discuss how to move forward," he said.

After the war, Gilbert and Gordon went their separate ways but Gilbert kept the letters, which were discovered after he died in 2008.

Mr Hignett said that one of the last letters written included the line: “Wouldn’t it be wonderful if all our letters could be published in the future in a more enlightened time. Then all the world could see how in love we are.”

He said the art project to create the diamond, commissioned by the Heritage Open Days, had been led by artist Olivia Winteringham in collaboration with Oswestry Town Museum and supported by Shrewsbury LGBT History Festival.

"We do not yet know the colour of the diamond and that wont be unveiled until we open the box at the Tea Dance.

"It will be held at the Memorial Hall in Oswestry on February 24 from 2-6pm."

Entry costs just £3 and Mr Hignett said all were welcome.