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
Luton remembers the First World War
People living in Luton took a step back in time to explore what life was like during the First World War and the impact it had on people living in Luton at the time.
Projects
Hospital Under Canvas: Millicent Sutherland's Ambulance in the Great War
A collection of paintings depicting nursing during the First World War was researched and exhibited, engaging the local community with this exceptional collection.
Projects
Diamond War Memorial Project
The Holywell Trust led on this project to create a shared public space centred on the War Memorial in the Diamond area of Derry-Londonderry in Northern Ireland.
Projects
Last Post: Remembering The First World War
This project focused on increasing access to First World War archival material held in The British Postal Museum and Archive.
Projects
B-type Battle Buses - the civilian story of the First World War
B-type Battle Buses restored to working order, using last known surviving B-type parts, and incorporated into London Transport Museum's (LTM) permanent collection.
Projects
Marking the First World War Centenary at York Castle Museum
The York Museums and Gallery Trust transformed the upper floors of a Grade I listed prison building into exhibition space and introduced an ambitious four year programme about the First World War.
Projects
Redeveloping the Green Howards Museum
The Green Howards Regimental museum received almost £1million to redevelop its galleries and put on a series of family activities.
Projects
Huddersfield Rugby League: A Lasting Legacy
Volunteers of all ages found out about Huddersfield’s sporting history during the First World War, producing a website, town trails, an exhibition, a book and new resources for primary schools.
Projects
Red Poppies and White Butterflies
Nostell Priory engaged the community with a compelling programme telling the stories of the men who died in the First World War and those that survived, with an invitation to research their own ancestry and add to a message wall.
Projects
Crime on the homefront: policing Bishop's Stortford during the First World War
The issue of crime on the home front has often been neglected. This project will focus on the impact of the First World War on crime in Bishop's Stortford and surrounding areas.
Projects
Leicester's role in World War 1
Volunteers investigated the impact of the First World War on the people of Leicester and shared their research through exhibitions, school workshops and online.
Projects
Welling will remember them: uncovering local soldiers who died in the First World War
This community-guided research project, Welling Will Remember Them, told the stories of people from Welling and East Wickham in South East London who fought in the First World War.