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.

Volunteers doing research at Flintshire County Council record office
Volunteers doing research at Flintshire County Council record office

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.

Participant as a VAD (Voluntary Aid Detachment) nurse in front of a green screen with an image of a First World War hospital
Participant as a VAD (Voluntary Aid Detachment) nurse in front of a green screen with an image of a First World War hospital

Projects

Yours Sincerely

Young people reinterpreted the changing roles of women during the First World War, through letters, films and an exhibition.

Young people taking part in a workshop
Young people taking part in a workshop

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.

Students researching the heritage of the Beechey family
Students researching the heritage of the Beechey family

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.

Young people making use of professional photography equipment
Young people making use of professional photography equipment

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.

Craven's Part in the Great War
Craven's Part in the Great War artifacts

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.

Linda Wood (centre), descendant of the captain of sunken trawler, Alberta, with the dive team
Linda Wood (centre), descendant of the captain of sunken trawler, Alberta, visits with the dive team

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.