1. Home
  2. Our work
  3. First World War Centenary

View as PDF

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 learning about the First World War
A young participant learning about the First World War

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.

The Diamond War Memorial
The Diamond War Memorial

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.

Last Post: Remembering The First World War display
A display from the Last Post: Remembering The First World War project

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.

Volunteer at the Hands on Here exhibition at York Castle Museum
Volunteer at the Hands on Here exhibition at York Castle Museum

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.

Children viewing First World War objects at a Green Howards Museum outreach event
Children viewing First World War objects at a Green Howards Museum outreach event

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.

Volunteers learning about the club's role in the First World War
Volunteers learning about the club's role in the First World War

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.

The history wall with red poppies (for those who died) or a white butterfly (for those left behind)
The history wall with red poppies (for those who died) or a white butterfly (for those left behind)

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.

A participant exploring a stand at one of the workshops

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.