IN a small Belgian town there is a lasting memorial to a young Lance Corporal who gave his life in the First World War.

Blackburn-born Archie Forrest, described as a coarse-natured, crude-tongued, well-built young lad, underwent an amazing transformation after visiting a house in the town.

It was a house which was to become famous throughout the world and one which offered thousands of young soldiers a refuge from the bullets and bombs.

Archie visited Talbot House - to become know as Toc H - with two other soldiers. Within a week even his officers noticed that his cynical views had changed.

So much so that he asked to be baptised. He became a regular visitor, was confirmed and took his first communion late in August 1917.

A week later, he was on the battlefield at Forward Cottage - between Carey Trench and Threadneedle Street Trench - when he was wounded.

He was carried three quarters of a mile to a dressing station where he died.

Archie has just competed a hazardous missions in No Man's Land and was on his way to safety.

He was only 20. He was buried in Wieltje Farm Cemetery outside Ypres and his headstone bears the inscription "2nd Corporal A Forrest 129895, August 26 1917."

The story of Archie was told to Friday Folk by Paul Chapman, branch chairman of the Western Front Association, in Northampton. Paul, 41, has been fascinated by the story of Toc H and Archie since the age of nine and has started writing a book about the organisation.

During the War, Talbot House, founded by two British Army padres as a rest and refuge centre, looked after more than 200,000 men.

Archie was just one of them. Many left behind mementoes. Archie's friends donated an antique round-backed table chair which is inscribed: "To the glory of God and in memory of Lance Corporal Archie Forrest."

Paul says several books have ben written about Toc H, including one which has a chapter dedicated to Archie.

But Paul wants to write another book about Archie and Toc H and is appealing to anyone with any information.

He knows Archie enlisted in the Royal Engineers in Manchester. He also knows he is mentioned on Blackburn's Corporation Park War Memorial. So if you know anything about Archie, or any surviving members of his family, please contact Paul at 19 Rides Court, Moulton Leys, Moulton, Northampton. NN3 7UA.

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