THE discovery of a First World War medal on an internet auction site led Bolton-based freelance journalist Charles Sandbach on an extraordinary journey. Kat Dibbits reports. . .

WHEN Charles Sandbach came across a First World War Military Medal for sale on eBay, little did he know that it would lead to a mission lasting two years and culminate in the honouring of an until-then forgotten soldier.

The freelance journalist from Astley Bridge has long harboured ambitions of becoming a film-maker, and when he discovered that the medal’s original owner, Robert Beveridge, had been left off the memorial wall in his home town of Uphall, West Lothian, he set off on what he describes as “a crusade”.

“I campaigned very hard with the local community in Uphall,” said Charles. “At the time his local authority was UK Council of the Year, and the leader of the council, a chap called Graeme Morrice, immediately took on the cause.

“It took some time but eventually we got him honoured and, as you see in the film, symbolically we brought him home.”

Charles has documented the whole tale — from Robert Beveridge’s humble beginnings to his final memorial — in a film, A Soldier’s Return.

Robert Beveridge’s story began in 1916 when, aged 21, he found himself called up to service in the First World War.

Eventually he arrived at the Somme, where he fought in unimaginable conditions, surrounded by dead and maimed comrades.

The next year, Robert was sent to Arras, in Northern France.

More than 150,000 British soldiers were killed in the fighting during the Battle of Arras, but Robert’s courage under fire saw him awarded the Military Medal, the decoration given to soldiers below commissioned rank for bravery in battle on land.

By September, 1917, Robert had been promoted to corporal, and he led his section in an attack on the German stronghold of Frezenberg, on the road to Passchendaele, the site of the Third Battle of Ypres.

During the fighting, Robert was gunned down and his body was never recovered. He was 24-years-old.

When he heard the story, Charles realised that not only was there an injustice that needed to be righted, but also that the subject would be perfect for his first film.

Charles said: “I’ve always had an ambition to get into films and I couldn’t think of a better subject to take on.

“I am an active campaigner for old soldiers and I’m a senior committee member of the National Ex Services Association.

“The Military Medal used in the film, was Robert Beveridge’s, but I own it now. I’ve donated it to this community — it’s in the library.”

The film was shot on location in France, Belgium, Scotland and Suffolk, and presented by actor Robin Thompson, who hails from Sharples.

It was co-produced by Mike Welch of Jamcat studios, based at the Bolton Enterprise Centre.

“I’ve always wanted to get involved in making films, but it was a shock when I did,” says Charles. “It cost Mike Welch and myself £40,000 to make A Soldier’s Return —- we had a budget of £6,000. We had a limit of six months, it took us 16. But I think that at the end of the day we’ve done something that is worthwhile.

“It was extremely tough. Keeping to schedules and deadlines meant we were working up to 12 hours a day and some of the conditions were extremely hot in France and Belgium.

“It was quite emotional as well, especially in Scotland, but we had some tremendous support from the local community.”

Ninety years to the day after Robert died, Charles, Graeme Morrice and the community in Uphall attended a memorial service for the young soldier at his local church, the church of St Nicholas. His name was also engraved on the local war memorial.

The service was led by the Rev David Black.

Charles said: “The minister in Uphall, who had been practising for something like 35 years, said he’d never conducted a service like it.”

Now the film, which is released through Charles’ existing company, Inspired Productions, is being used in schools in Scotland, and the production team has been getting in touch with Bolton schools to see if they would be interested in using it.

Charles believes it is important that everyone has an understanding of the catastrophic events that took place all those years ago— and the effect they have on our lives even now.

He said: “Being a campaigner for old soldiers, the First World War, in my opinion, has shaped the world we live in today more than any other event.

“It was the greatest military catastrophe ever, and those men died for a better world. And, despite what people think, we are living in a better world.”

  • For more information about A Soldier’s Return, or to buy a copy of the film, email Charles Sandbach at charles.inspired4@ntlworld.com n June 28, 1914 — Archduke Franz Ferdinand assassinated by Gavrilo Princip.

n August 1, 1914 — Outbreak of war.

n April 22, 1915 — First use of poison gas by Germany starts Second Battle of Ypres.

n May 31, 1916 — Battle of Jutland, the biggest naval battle in history.

n July 1, 1916 — Battle of the Somme begins.

n November 18, 1916 — Battle of the Somme ends.

n April 6, 1917 — US declares war on Germany.

n July 16, 1917 — Third Battle of Ypres begins.

n September 20, 1917 — Robert Beveridge killed in action.

n November 9, 1918 — Kaiser Wilhelm II abdicates.

n June 28,1919 — Signing of the Treaty of Versailles.