In recognition of the First World War centenary, Warminster’s Athenaeum Limelight Players staged this moving story of young volunteers, directed by Pete Davidson.

The play by Peter Whelan was written in 1981 to commemorate the sacrifices made by young soldiers who enlisted from a small Lancashire town and were virtually wiped out in a single action. In 1916 they took part in a battle for the village of Serre; of the 720 who took part 584 were killed, wounded or went missing. The story concentrates on the women of the close community left behind. It follows the interaction between mothers, wives and girl friends as they struggle to keep their everyday lives together in a world that leaves them without any accurate news about their menfolk.

Much of the action centres on May Hassal, confidently played by Carla Maguire in a well matched acting debut – as a Manchester lass she had no problem with the northern accent.

Her central role involves looking after her market stall while worrying about the men and in particular Tom, sensitively played by Rob Billen.

Nathan Lamb had a tough part as Reggie, the wayward son of the strident Annie Boggis (Dora Bishop), who finds frequent excuses to lay into him. The action moves between flashbacks of the Accrington street scene and snapshots of military life. A highlight comes with a dramatic front line scene when the pals climb out of their auditorium trench over sandbags to face enemy fire against a backdrop film of live action.

The contrast between Eva, played by Tanya Stockting, singing Oh Peaceful England at a concert effectively emphasised the horrors of war. Falling poppies and a bugler playing the Last Post brought the production to a poignant close.

Warminster is lucky to have such an enthusiastic group to provide regular live entertainment at the Athenaeum Centre, even if this time Lancashire accents might have meant some lines were lost on Wiltshire ears.