THE little-known story of a war horse from Levens will be brought to light during the village's World War One centenary project.

Betty was given up for the war effort by Mary Benson, of Hyning, Levens, who was keen to help in any way she could - and remarkably was one of the few officers' horses to return home safely in peacetime.

Betty was assigned to Arthur Bertie Gay, of the 4th (W. Lancs) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, Territorial Force - a friend of Mary's son Robert. It is thought this may have been deliberate, to ensure Betty was "looked after as carefully as was practical", according to research by Levens Local History Group.

Betty was lucky, as most officers' horses did not make it home, being killed in action or sold after the war. Many that survived were simply slaughtered to avoid the cost and logistics of repatriation.

However, Betty returned to peaceful Levens from the Greek port of Salonika - now Thessaloniki - in April 1919. Meanwhile, Arthur Gay, her guardian on the battlefield, was awarded the Military Cross in June 1919 for service in the Balkans.

The poignant homecoming tale has been unearthed by Levens Local History Group as members prepare to commemorate 100 years since the war's end.

During the weekend of November 10 and 11, villagers are expected to flock to St John's Church and Levens Institute for tea, cakes and an exhibition about the fallen men whose names are inscribed on the war memorial.

The lives of the survivors who returned to the rural community will also be recalled, as well as the role of the women, children and men who helped the war effort from home, explained Stephen Read, group secretary.

He told the Gazette: "The project will enable local people to come together to preserve the memories and heritage of the people who lived through the First World War. Volunteers have collected photographs, newspaper clippings, documents, keepsakes, letters and photographs, as well as family tales, which have enabled them to build a clear picture of what life was really like."

The Heritage Lottery Fund has given £5,100 towards the project, named Levens in WW1. An interactive archive is to be created, said Mr Read, with a book to follow in 2019.

Another chapter of history to be shared will be that of Lady Bagot's Hospital of Friendship, where wounded soldiers were treated in Belgium and France.

A baronet's daughter, Theodosia Bagot - known as "Dosia" - was the wife of Josceline Bagot, of Levens Hall. During the Boer War, while her husband served, she was also in South Africa running a military hospital.

Her WW1 hospital, where she helped to nurse the injured men, was supported by many local donations and fundraising appeals. An evocative black-and-white photograph depicts the "Levens bed" and its mustachioed, bandaged occupant.

Meanwhile, a display of giant red poppies has been created in the village centre by Levens Parish Council, handwritten with the name, rank and known resting place of Levens' fallen soldiers.

Cllr Dave Rogerson, vice chair of the parish council, said members had decided upon a field of poppies "rather than the urban version of poppies on lampposts". Villagers have been invited to remember their own family members on a poppy if they are included on memorials in other towns or villages.

Cllr Rogerson said the Levens would be joining the nationwide act of remembrance on Sunday, November 11, with a beacon to be lit at 7pm, and the church bell to ring out at 7.05pm.

For more, see www.facebook.com/levens.org.uk/