BLENHEIM Palace has revealed it has raised more than £10,000 for two military charities through a First World War exhibition.

A Great Estate At War marks the centenary of the First World War, with extracts from war diaries of Oscar Guest, one of the “flying cousins” of the 9th Duke of Marlborough.

The venue raised money for the Welsh Guards Afghanistan Appeal and Help for Heroes through donations from visitors.

Palace head of education Karen Wiseman said: “I am so pleased and so grateful that the visitors have been extremely generous with their donations to two such worthy causes.

“The exhibition certainly seems to have captured the attention of the visitors and their comments show that they value the fact that the stories told are personal – revealing the experiences of the estate workers and servants, as well as the family.”

One of the displays is a tribute to Lt Col Rupert Thorneloe MBE, commanding officer of the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards, who died in Afghanistan in 2009. His parents, Veronica and John, live in Kirtlington, and Mrs Thorneloe is head guide at the palace.

Ms Wiseman added: “Visitors also appreciate the dedication and in that way the exhibition honours one of our own from today as well as those from the past.”

A Great Estate At War runs until Tuesday, July 1.

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