AN AMAZING new discovery has been shared with The Devil’s Porridge Museum. Callum Boyd, a resident of Victory Avenue in Gretna, was doing some maintenance in his house when he discovered a wall painting on the plaster. It shows a grave with a cross containing the words, Here lies the body of Jack Ellmenery or Elmenwery, departed this life for the country s good AD 1916 Judith Hewitt, museum manager said: “It’s a mystery really and we’re intrigued by it.” Callum’s house on Victory Avenue was built in World War One to house some of the 30,000 workers who worked in munitions at HM Factory Gretna. Judith added: “Callum thought the picture would be of interest to us at the museum as our main focus is to share the story of the greatest factory on earth in World War One.“The picture raises a lot of questions for us. It seems likely Jack died in World War One but who was he and what was his connection with HM Factory Gretna?
A CHRISTMAS card sent from a German prisoner of war to the family he lived with in Gretna has formed part of a new display at the Devil’s Porridge Museum. Addressed to the Wright family, of P West II Gretna, the card reveals the bond that was formed between local people and the prisoners they housed during World War Two. The POW, who is known only by the name Helmut, wrote to the family on December 10, 1947, two years after the war ended, to send them Christmas wishes. His message read: “Dear Family Wright. As Xmas is coming means I’ll not miss to send you my best wishes and a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Hoping this card will obtain in correct time… Yours ex-POW. Helmut.”