Gay WW2 lovers' letters inspire exhibition plea

The exhibition is inspired by love letters between two gay World War Two soldiers (generic image)

A Shropshire woman is looking for love letters, particularly from the LGBT community, to curate an exhibition.

Megan Hayward is an artist in residence for ARTefact Oswestry for 2024 and has been tasked with creating an exhibition inspired by the Gilbert and Gordon love letters.

The letters were sent between two soldiers, Gilbert Bradley and Gordon Bowsher, in World War Two and are displayed at Oswestry museum.

"I want to craft people's stories into audible love letters, so people can come to the exhibition, put on a pair of headphones and listen to these stories of love," said Ms Hayward.

She is working with another artist, Emmy Clarke, who will also write poetry inspired by the letters submitted.

Ms Hayward is an audio producer and wants to turn people's love letters into audio form

"We're looking for other people's love stories, so that we can celebrate all of the love that has come and gone through Oswestry and the surrounding areas over the years," Ms Hayward told BBC Radio Shropshire.

"I've got a few stories already that have made me cry just reading them," she said.

"I've had a few people submit their parents' stories.

"People meet by chance, fate. It makes you really believe in love."

The exhibition is due to be held in the town, where the Gilbert and Gordon love letters are embedded in local history, from September.

'A beautiful, touching story'

In 1939, Gilbert Bradley was stationed at Park Hall Camp in Oswestry. He was in love with Gordon Bowsher, who was stationed at various locations across the country.

The letters emerged after Mr Bradley's death in 2008, when a house clearance company sold them to a dealer specialising in military mail.

They are now on display at Oswestry Town Museum, after being bought by Mark Hignett, its curator.

• Read more: Forbidden love: The WW2 letters between two men

"It's such a beautiful, touching story," Ms Hayward said.

"LGBT couples have always existed. They existed back then and their love was just the same as it is now.

"The Gilbert and Gordon stories were lost in time until those letters were discovered.

"Who knows what else is out there?"

Letters can be submitted via social media or in person at a "meet the artist" event at Oswestry library on 26 June.