AN historian from Ramsbottom will mark Gallipoli weekend by giving a commemorative talk at The Fusilier Museum.

Martin Purdy, co-writer of The Gallipoli Oak, will give visitors an insight into the story of Gallipoli and explain how he wrote the book.

The Gallipoli Oak tells the incredible story of the teenager Second Lieutenant Eric Duckworth, whose loss inspired a family to make the long pilgrimage to Turkey to plant a Lancashire oak tree.

Nearly 100 years later, the same tree continues to grow among the olive grows and pays tribute to the many soldiers from East Lancashire who lost their lives in the battle of Gallipoli.

Helen Smith, general manager of The Fusilier Museum, said “It’s a great honour to welcome Martin to the museum as part of our Gallipoli commemorations and we’re all looking forward to hearing about Gallipoli as well as how the book was put together.

“We are currently working on an exciting exhibition to commemorate the centenary of the ill-fated Gallipoli landings in which the Lancashire Fusiliers famously won “Six VC’s before breakfast”. We hope to have all six medals on display in the exhibition which is due to open in April, 2015.”

Mr Purdy’s talk takes place on Saturday April 26 at 10.30am.

Admission is free.