Researching WW1 How can we find out more about those who served in WW1? Friday, 30 September 2016

9 million men died in the First World War. Many more returned home but with terrible injuries. Its easy to think of this as just a number. But every statistic was a real person. Somebody’s father, husband, brother, son. Was one of your relatives one of these statistics? How many of them came from your town or village? Is it possible to find out?

War Memorials In 1919 after the war was over it was time to mourn. Virtually every community in Britain had lost men. Memorials were soon built to remember the dead. Its easy to walk past these today without thinking about their meaning. Friday, 30 September 2016

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission Immediately after the fighting stopped the dead were given a proper burial. As the years went by the British Government built carefully managed cemeteries. These are maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and can still be visited today. Friday, 30 September 2016

Battlefield Memorials Memorials were built on the site of the battles as well. These contain tens of thousands of names of the dead and those who are still missing. Friday, 30 September 2016

Step One – who to research? Your first task is to think about who you want to research. Maybe you want to pick one of the war memorials? Perhaps you have a family link that you could research? If you already know a little about WW1 you could research a particular place or battle? Friday, 30 September 2016

Step One – who to research? You should find a sheet like this alongside this presentation. Use it to collect data as you go. Friday, 30 September 2016

Step Two – where to find the information? It is possible to research the lives of the names on local memorials. These days digital photography and the internet make it easier to find their details. (click on the picture to find out more) Friday, 30 September 2016 AstburyCongleton Congleton St Peters Odd Rode Astbury St Marys Congleton Edge Church Lawton Swettenham

Step Two – where to find the information? There are many websites available which give details of all those who fought. Here are just a few that can help you undertake detailed research (again click to investigate). Friday, 30 September 2016 Cheshire War Memorials Cheshire War Memorials The Commonwealth War Grave Commission (searchable British War graves) The Commonwealth War Grave Commission (searchable British War graves) The War Graves photographic project (has photos of many graves) The War Graves photographic project (has photos of many graves) Researching soldiers from WW1 Researching soldiers from WW1 The Imperial War Museum The Imperial War Museum The National Archives The National Archives

Step Three – what did you find? What is the age range of the soldiers? The oldest? Youngest? What is the average age of death? What ranks of soldier did you find? Which suffered the most casualties? Where did the soldiers fight and die? Which place suffered the most casualties? How far from home did the soldiers fight? Which is the furthest destination you found? Are there any dates when more died than others? Were any years more deadly than others? Which piece of information surprised you the most? Friday, 30 September 2016

Step Four – presenting your findings You could work on your own in groups. You should now have lots of research. Its time to present it in an interesting and informative way. You could tell the story of one solders war. Or the story of how WW1 impacted on your own town or village. This could be presented as a booklet, poster or wall display... Over to you.... Friday, 30 September 2016