First World War Centenary
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:
- HMS Caroline in Belfast
- the cells in Richmond Castle, which held conscientious objectors
- a B-Type London bus used on the Western Front
- Yr Ysgwrn, the poet Hedd Wyn’s home in Snowdonia
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.
Projects
Walter Tull: first black Tottenham Hotspur player and First World War officer
This project focused on the life of Walter Tull, the first black player for Tottenham Hotspur FC and one of the first black soldiers to have served as an officer during the First World War.
Projects
World War 1 memorial stained glass window, Peace Chapel, Stoke Minster
The Friends of Stoke Minster preserved and shared the story of their war memorial window.
Projects
Worthing's First World War discovery trail
Creative Waves Community Arts enabled young and old residents of Worthing to rediscover their town.
Projects
Stories of those named on Flintshire's WW1 memorials
This community-led project aimed to expand digital archives and discover the stories of every soldier whose name appears on a Flintshire First World War memorial.
Projects
Yours Sincerely
Young people reinterpreted the changing roles of women during the First World War, through letters, films and an exhibition.
Projects
Langley World War 1: Poetry film project
Residents of the Langley Estate in Manchester used stories and photographs of their ancestors as inspiration to create a collective poem and film.
Projects
Lincoln War Stories
Inspired by the archives held at the Lincolnshire Museum of Life, young people explored Lincoln’s history to develop a radio play about life in the First World War.
Projects
Young people discover the story of the Accrington Pals
Young people researched the experiences of the Accrington Pals in the First World War, developing a short film and workshop for secondary schools and encouraging others to make their own films.
Projects
Craven's Part in the Great War
This project was based on an idea taken from an original book, published by the Craven Herald in 1920, commemorating every soldier from the Craven District who fell in the First World War.
Projects
Discover Shipwrecks of the River Humber Area
Shipwrecks of the River Humber tells the untold story of Grimsby’s fisherman who went out on trawlers during the First World War.
Projects
Queen Alexandra Hospital Home - Our legacy to our country
Staff and volunteers uncovered a collection of over 3,000 photographs documenting how nursing care and rehabilitation of servicemen and women has changed since 1919.
Projects
Call Up: The effect of the First World War on rural life in Hampshire
The Call Up helped participants piece together the lives of refugees living in Hampshire during the First World War.