STROUD’s Local History Society has discovered a collection of song cards which were popular during the First World War.

Propaganda was one of the ways in which the government persuaded the public to support its war effort.

Within days of the outbreak of the conflict, some publishers had realised the commercial potential of projecting stirring images of patriotism and rallying cries to the flag.

Patriotic cards were on sale within a week of the declaration of hostilities and well before British troops landed in France.

The SLHS is inviting people to drop in to its twice-a-month open sessions at the Library. Members are particularly interested in sourcing knitting patterns — for soldiers’ socks and balaclavas — and recipes that helped cope with food shortages. The project is continuing, with an exhibition planned for October this year.