A GRAPHIC exhibition on Chippenham’s experiences of the Great War had 100 visitors on its first day.

Organiser Richard Broadhead is expecting up to 5,000 people to see the free display on the 1914-1918 conflict, on at Yelde Hall until November 30.

It tells the First World War story from the perspective of people living in the town, using quotes from newspapers, including one from 1915 which states the Wiltshire Regiment was almost annihilated at Gallipoli, Turkey.

There are 13 screens of original First World War films from the Imperial War Museum in London, eight brought to Chippenham for the first time, and about 100 photos of men who died in battle.

The exhibition is said to be unapologetically graphic, with pictures including a face reconstructed by plastic surgery.

Mr Broadhead said: “Some people are quite shocked. It’s very edgy, atmospheric, and some pictures are quite nasty.

“It takes you into somewhere you don’t want to stay, so you almost feel uncomfortable, with yellow lighting and sounds triggered by motion sensors. The guy bandaged up in bed is quite scary and the smoke in the gas section makes some people jump.

“It is telling what war is really like. You can put on an Xbox and shoot people, but you don’t see the outcome. It is the harsh reality; it is very sad.”

Mr Broadhead has spent years researching Wiltshire men not remembered by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. He runs the Wiltshire Soldiers website, allowing people to search the records of more than 12,000 servicemen who lost their lives in the Great War.

This is the eighth exhibition he has staged this year, each without funding and relating to a different town.

His sons – Jack, 14, and Tom, 12 – have been helping by getting into period costume.

The Chippenham Great War exhibition runs daily, except Sundays, 10.30am to 3.30pm.