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.

Children from Salesbury School learn about life at Blackburn Orphanage during the First World War
Children from Salesbury School learn about life at Blackburn Orphanage during the First World War

Projects

James Dixon's Boys

Through workshops and visits, children from Salesbury School used archives to find out how the First World War affected boys living in Blackburn Orphanage.

A picture of soldiers leaving the Home Front in the First World War

Projects

Broadland During the First World War

This project is exploring the impact of the First World War on the people of Broadland, from the perspectives of the men who went to war and those who remained at home.

DBBC students researching Bolton soldiers who had died in the Gallipoli campaign
DBBC students researching Bolton soldiers who had died in the Gallipoli campaign

Projects

Tracing your roots back to Gallipoli

Twenty young people, aged 14-19, researched the lives of Bolton soldiers who had died during the 1915 Gallipoli campaign.

Exhibition highlighting the location of people on the Otley war memorial
Exhibition highlighting the location of people on the Otley war memorial

Projects

Legacies of War - Untold Otley Stories

Volunteers used the Otley Museum archives to create a digital map showing the address of every person on the town’s war memorial.

Commemorating the Pipers of the First World War

Projects

Pipers and Pipe Music of the Great War

Volunteers from the Scottish Pipers Association researched the tunes and stories behind the Pipers of the First World War, including the iconic image of the Piper leading the soldiers into battle.

Intergenerational workshop at Rockcliffe First School
Intergenerational workshop at Rockcliffe First School

Projects

Wor War: the First World War in North Tyneside

Young people from North Tyneside found out how the First World War affected their local communities through a range of creative activities.

Students attending a project workshop
Students attending a project workshop

Projects

Degrees of Separation, Barnstaple

Primary and secondary school children engaged with the stories of local soldiers during the First World War through workshops with local museums and an artist, culminating in an exhibition and open day event for the wider community.

Dramatic performance by students at Royal Holloway College
Dramatic performance by students at Royal Holloway College

Projects

Frank went to the Front

Supplies of Horlicks to the troops and the evocative paintings of war artist Paul Nash were just two of the discoveries in this First World War centenary project.