Solihull Heritage and Local Studies Service at The Core Library, Solihull is the first port of call for anyone interested in local history or family history within the present Borough of Solihull.
This Solihull Life blog features some of our exhibitions and local history projects as we try to capture, preserve and share aspects of the life of the Borough. We also have a longer-term project – Solihull Remembers – to commemorate individuals from places now in the Borough of Solihull or in the old Solihull Rural District who lost their lives as a result of service in the First World War.
You can also find us on YouTube, Flickr, and we tweet about our local history projects and exhibitions, as well as #SolihullRemembers @SolihullLife.
Further information about our service, our resources and our catalogue is at www.solihull.gov.uk/heritage
All of our libraries in Solihull are now Family Search Affiliate Libraries – read more about this service.
We are located on the first floor of The Core Library, Solihull but we do ask that you book documents in advance as otherwise we can’t guarantee that specialist staff will be available to help.
We’ll do our best to help if you email heritage@solihull.gov.uk or telephone 0121 704 6977 before your visit.
Solihull Life 
I’ve found some info recently that the Congregational Church Room in Olton was used as a Auxiliary hospital in World War 1. Does this building still exist? Is it the United Reformed Church on Kineton Green Road? Any help would be gratefully received. Thanks
Yes, it is the URC on Kineton Green Road. It opened as a Red Cross Auxiliary Hospital on 9th February 1915. Hope this helps.
Tracey
Samuel Abda Collins was awarded an MBE in 1937 listed as Station master Haifa Palestine where he served inWW1. Must have been good at his job then.
I have an interest in one of the men named in your WW1 blog – Lancelot John Barrington Walters from December 1917. Is there anyone I can correspond with about him? I’m curious as to where the information was obtained.