Memorabilia and drawings sent home from the trenches by acclaimed artist Joseph Gray went on display on Friday, October 3 at Arthurlie House.

The drawings had been found in the attic of Barrhead health improvement worker Claire McCririck.

She told Barrhead News: “The scenes that were stored in our loft are of real life situations that the men found themselves in before they were lucky enough to return home - albeit injured. Whilst serving, Joseph Gray sent a letter and a drawing to my husband’s grandmother letting her know they were both well and enjoying leisure time fishing and reading. However as clearly depicted in the drawings we know in reality the opposite was true.

“When Charles McCririck came home, he remained friends with Joseph Gray and the drawings from the front line were given to Charles because he was depicted in scenes in many of them. When my husband’s grandparents passed, the letter and drawings were handed down to my husband and put in the loft for safe keeping.” The pictures went on display as part of the East Renfrewshire Mental Health Arts and Film Festival.

The event was organised by ACUMEN and featured poetry and stories inspired by WWI.