EIGHTY years to the day after the official end of the Second World War, a new book is being launched by the Lustleigh Society.

It looks at how that cataclysmic period impacted the village and the lives of its villagers.

Unveiling of the new publication will be conducted by Devon’s broadcasting legend and military enthusiast, David ‘Fitz’ Fitzgerald.

‘Home Front to Front Line; Lustleigh’s United Response in World War Two’ is the culmination of a collective effort by volunteers who have each researched a particular aspect of life in this small Dartmoor community and how everyone played their part in contributing towards the war effort.

Chapters cover such areas as the Home Guard and other military activity, children and evacuees, the roles of women and girl guides, and religion.

There’s even a chapter about tourism that was still active in Lustleigh throughout the war.

The book concludes with dedicated biographies of each of the 10 men, representing all three services and all echelons of society, who went into battle but were never to return.

Chairman of the Lustleigh Society David McGahey said: ‘It is another publication of which the Lustleigh Society can be immensely proud.

‘I know that the volunteers have worked tirelessly to uncover as much as possible about how the village responded with resilience and unity.

‘It’s a fitting tribute to everyone who contributed on the home front as well as those friends, neighbours and family who fought on the front line.’

Before the official launch at 11am, Lustleigh’s loyal team of bell ringers will sound a celebratory open peal from 10.30am, replicating that which would have been rung at the end of WW2.

They have continued to sound out particular dates in the Second World War 80th commemoration calendar as well as dedicated half-muffled peals for each of the fallen to mark the day that each one of the 10 men lost their lives.

The Lustleigh Society exists to research, care for and promote the heritage of the parish of Lustleigh.

It manages the Lustleigh Community Archive which contains records, maps, parish magazines, photographs and a rich variety of historic documents relevant to the area.