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 young participant demonstrates wartime medical techniques to a young visitor
One of the young participants demonstrates wartime medical techniques to a young visitor

Projects

Wartime Medicine and Innovation

Young people investigated the medical developments from the First World War and the impact they have on their lives today.

Two teenage trainees lay a new railway track by hand supervised by an older volunteer
Trainees develop practical skills supervised by experienced volunteers

Projects

Industrial railway trail - display track and viewing area

The construction of a demonstration light railway has preserved vital engineering skills, and helped young people get in touch with their heritage.

Children learning about the chiming bells
Children learning about the chiming bells

Projects

Local heroes: Revealing the Memorial Bells

The restoration of a rare set of chiming bells hung in 1925 in memory of 197 local heroes connected to the Memorial Community Church in Plaistow, London.

Female football player, No Game For Girls project
A re-enactment of the first female munition workers football match in Coventry nearly 100 years on

Projects

No Game For Girls: A history of women's football in WW1

No game for girls explored how First World War munitionette football teams drew crowds of thousands before they were banned after the war by an anti-women’s football campaign.

Reredos
The centrepiece is a reredos designed by Temple Moore and lists 192 servicemen who lost their lives in the Great War

Projects

Restoring war-damaged reredos in Norwich's War Memorial Chapel

St Mark’s Church in Norwich has a War Memorial Chapel, dedicated in 1920. The Project restored the reredos and cleaned the War Memorial

Group of school children
Pupils of Onslow St Audreys School

Projects

WWI - Near & Far

The WW1 Near and Far project involved nearly half of the Onslow St Audrey’s school in Welwyn Garden City learning about the First World War.

The Eden Court Collective researching stories at the archives
The Eden Court Collective researching stories at the archives

Projects

A War Unheard

Young drama enthusiasts formed the Eden Court Collective, a theatre company that set out to explore and share the untold stories of warfare.

Young people in First World War historical costume
The cast of the play celebrate their achievements

Projects

Working The War

A group of young people researched the personal stories of families who worked in the local torpedo factory during the First World War.

Children at the Bradford YMCA Tea and Remembrance project
Children at the Bradford YMCA Tea and Remembrance project

Projects

Tea and Remembrance: Bradford YMCA’s First World War project

Within days of the outbreak of the First World War, the YMCA had established 250 tea huts in the UK providing refreshments for soldiers heading to war. As the war progressed, these huts evolved to serve hospitals, POW camps and training centres.