Surrey Heritage, which is part of the county council, has received the money from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for the project called Surrey in the Great War: A County Remembers.

The scheme, which commemorates the Centenary of the First World War, will be used to explain how the conflict changed Surrey and the lives of its residents.

It will enable people of all ages to get involved as volunteers to do research into the impact of the war on the county and the experiences of those who served on the home front and overseas.

Surrey's memories and heritage will be preserved through photographs, newspaper clippings, documents and letters on a new website.

Surrey County Council’s Cabinet Member for Community Services Helyn Clack said: “We’re delighted HLF has provided this financial support to commemorate Surrey’s contribution to protecting our country 100 years ago.

“Thousands of men from Surrey alone died in the First World War and many people’s lives back home were changed by it forever and this project will enable communities to explore the local wartime stories behind artefacts and memories to build a lasting digital and physical legacy for generations to come.

“With the support, enthusiasm and energy of current and former Surrey residents of all ages, the project will create a fitting tribute to the sacrifices and suffering of the people who endured the first global war in human history.”

Stuart McLeod, Head of HLF, South East, said: “The impact of the First World War touched every corner of the UK and the centenary commemorations are giving people new insights into the impact of the conflict, both in the battle zones and on the Home Front.

“HLF has already invested more than £64million in projects – large and small - marking this Centenary. Surrey in the Great War: A County Remembers will enable communities throughout the county to explore the continuing legacy of the war and help young people in particular to broaden their understanding of how it has shaped our modern world.”
 

Further information

Kevin Richardson, Senior Media and Public Affairs Officer, Surrey County Council, on tel: 020 8541 726 or email: kevin.richardson@surreycc.gov.uk