First World War Centenary

First World War Centenary

Four children with a man in First World War dress in front of a biplane
The Mersea Men project, Essex. Credit: Jeff Gilbert Photography
The First World War Centenary was a chance to understand the war, uncover its stories and explore what it means to us today. We funded projects across the UK that focused on the events of 1914–1918 and on the lasting changes the war brought about.

99% of people who took part in a First World Wa Centenary project said they had increased their knowledge and understanding of the war.

"It has broadened my understanding of the First World War both at home and abroad. It has made me look in directions I would not have thought about."

Communities leading the way

The National Lottery enabled people to explore wide-ranging aspects of the conflict. This included:

  • stories behind the names on war memorials and of those conscripted to serve
  • life on the home front
  • the changing role of women
  • conscientious objectors and dissent
  • developments in medical care
  • the contribution of diverse Commonwealth, cultural and faith communities to the conflict

People shared these stories through publications, exhibitions, films, drama and social media. Our #OneCentenary100Stories campaign features 100 of these fascinating stories of the First World War.

The national picture

Together, we conserved important First World War heritage and made it accessible, including:

Funding for First World War projects after the Centenary

You can still apply for projects exploring the First World War and its impact through the National Lottery Grants for Heritage.

A mannequin covered in photos and documents. Volunteers created the 'Wo-Mannequin' from photos of the research, visits and materials they collected during the project
Volunteers created the 'Wo-Mannequin' from photos of the research, visits and materials they collected during the project

Projects

Investigating South Tyneside womens' roles in the First World War

Women’s Health in South Tyneside spent a year discovering the profound role women playing during the First World War in their area.

Young people using the internet to research the Somme
Young people exploring the stories of the Somme

Projects

Reflections On The Somme

Reflections On The Somme, developed and led by young people, will explore perspectives of soldiers who fought in the Battle of the Somme.

Women involved in the Pershore Plum project
Women involved in the Pershore Plum project

Projects

Food production in the Vale during the First World War

Community groups and university partners came together to explore how the First World War was won in the market gardens of Worcestershire as well as on the battlefield.

1st Menai Bridge Scout Group
1st Menai Bridge Scout Group finding out about the scout leaders who went to fight in the First World War.

Projects

The Snowdonia and Anglesey Scouts and the First World War

1st Menai Bridge Scout Group are running a two-year project in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the closure of several local scout groups as their leaders and many scouts went to fight in the First World War.

Participants discussing one of the exhibition items
Participants discussing one of the exhibition items

Projects

Lest We Forget

Refugees and asylum seekers in Glasgow explored the experiences of Belgian refugees during the First World War.

People standing in front of a puppet war horse
Peckham War Horse Project

Projects

Peckham War Horse Project

Communities from Peckham came together to recreate a photograph of war horses destined for the Western Front.

a frame from an animated film, showing the inside of a desert hospital
A frame from an animated film created for the project

Projects

World War One: a Valleys View

Young people and communities from the Welsh Valleys uncovered the experiences of Welsh soldiers during the First World War and created digital animations.

Souvenir booklet about the work of the Hyde Group of the No-Conscription Fellowship, c.1919.
Souvenir booklet about the work of the Hyde Group of the No-Conscription Fellowship, c.1919.

Projects

Invisible histories from the First World War

Exploring the history of people who objected to fighting in the First World War and telling their stories through an exhibition and educational resources.

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