To mark the centenary of the First World War in 2014, the local community in Stockton are coming together to preserve the memories and heritage of the people who lived through the War. Volunteers will collect photographs, newspaper clippings, documents, letters and photos of keepsakes, as well as family tales passed down from the Great War generation to help them build a clear picture of what life was really like.

These stories, if left unrecorded may be lost forever. Some of the stories that will be researched, include the setting up of voluntary hospitals, training of nursing staff, recruitment into Kitchener’s army, women and children’s contribution to the war effort, the role of the fishing fleets, coastal defence and enemy action such as Zeppelin raids.

With help from professionals they will digitally record the information to create an on-line interactive archive, where everyone can access and contribute to the information gathered. The archive will allow the public to discuss, contribute, share and research information about the Home Front during the Great War.

Angela Jobson, Secretary of The Wartime Memories Project, said: “We are thrilled to have received the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund and are confident the project will generate a lot of interest and help many people to discover more about their own heritage through researching the family stories and memorabilia passed down to them. By running this project online we hope to reach a wide audience and create a lasting resource which will allow others to benefit now and in the future.”

Explaining the importance of the support, Head of the HLF in the North East Ivor Crowther, said: “These inspiring project plans are a fitting way to help mark the planned First World War commemorations that will be starting to happen across the UK and we are proud to be playing a role as a funder. The ‘Great War’ was an extraordinary turning point in our history and by collecting these artefacts and memories and making them digitally available, everyone today and in the future, will be able to learn about and remember the sacrifices that were made by the people of Stockton-On-Tees.”

The project intends to launch the archive and accompanying new section of their website later this year, please visit the Wartime Memories Project website.

Notes to editors

The Wartime Memories Project is a non-profit organisation, a constituted group run by volunteers. All our displays and educational activities are funded by donations, grants and from the pockets of our members. The aims of The Wartime Memories Project are to collect and preserve recollections, documents, photographs and small artefacts from the two World Wars, to ensure that future generations will have the opportunity to learn first-hand from the accounts of those who lived through the conflicts

Further information

Lucinda Tyrrell, HLF Press Office on 020 7592 6031 or lucindat@hlf.org.uk.