WMT works to protect and conserve war memorials across the UK. It provides advice and grants as well as encouraging young people to engage with our war memorial heritage. The charity will use the HLF grant to develop a project called ‘Remembering their History,’ which will help young people in Kent discover more about the memorials and the people and events they commemorate.

WMT’s Learning Officer will provide training for the volunteers to equip them with the skills to work with the young people, give talks and guide teaching sessions. They will work directly with young people and the adults who support them as they explore their wartime heritage in the lead up to and during the centenary of the First World War.

Commenting on the award, Frances Moreton, Director of WMT, said: “War Memorials Trust is delighted to receive this grant and is grateful to the Heritage Lottery Fund for its support for our work to educate young people in Kent about war memorials. As the two World Wars move beyond living memory, war memorials are becoming a touchstone to the past and it is important to help young people, the next generation of war memorial custodians, understand the history and significance of this part of our heritage.”

Stuart McLeod, Head of Heritage Lottery Fund South East, said: “The First World War changed the face of modern history touching the lives of everyone in this country and beyond. HLF has committed to funding a variety of projects, from organisations large and small, that will create a deeper understanding of the heritage of the conflict. Some of these will capture the memories of individual soldiers, regiments or families, some like ‘Remembering their History’, will help young people from across Kent learn about their local war memorials. We have already supported over £28million of projects from across the United Kingdom and will continue to support as many applications as we can afford that want to commemorate the centenary.”

Notes to editors

About War Memorials Trust

War Memorials Trust is an independent registered charity. Established in 1997 due to concerns about neglect and vandalism it works to protect and conserve war memorials. It provides advice, information and administers grants schemes that assist the repair and conservation of war memorials across the UK. As a charity the trust relies on voluntary contributions to undertake its work. Supporters include annual and life members, donors and charitable trusts.

Further information

Ruth Cavender, Learning Officer or Frances Moreton, Director, War Memorials Trust, 020 7834 0200 / 0300 123 0764 / 07586 920 153, email: ruth@warmemorials.org / frances@warmemorials.org.

Laura Bates, HLF press office on  020 7591 6027, email: lbates@Hlf.org.uk.