A NURSE from Harwood, a company sergeant major from Bolton and a private soldier from Rivington are among the unsung heroes of the First World War included in a memorial display at Bolton Library.

Ethel Longworth, Nurse number BX158, served throughout the war.

Company Sgt Major James Shaw, who had also served in the Boer War, came home in 1918, and his paybook, warrant and parade stick are featued in the display.

But Private Nathan Birchall lasted just ten days of the Battle of The Somme before he was killed.

Many other soldiers from the Bolton area are remembered with medals, memorial plaques - known as "dead men's pennies" - and other memorabilia from the collection of Heaton man, Bill Holden. The display is the second at the library presented by Mr Holden who has been a collector of military memories for most of his life.

Mr Holden, who works for the local authority said: "It started when I was a child. Everyone at the time had something, a medal or a tin hat because World War Two had been close. My interest just grew, I would exchange sweets for medals."

Today, his extensive collection covers items from the Crimean War to the Second World War and he has a problem displaying it.

"Everything has to be locked away securely, but, of course, the whole point is to remember the people who often made the ultimate sacrifice for us.

"These items need to be displayed. It is important to maintain the memories, it is 90 years ago after all. Nathan Birchall's memorial plaque, medals and photograph, in a frame made by a cabinet maker from Horwich, was about to be thrown into a skip before I bought it."

Last year's display grew out of a discussion Mr Holden had with a member of the library staff and he was pleased to be asked to put on another this year.

The display, which includes rare medals, uniforms and guns as well as one of the nurse's aprons worn by Ethel Longworth, closes on November 30.