Trench – The Great War Project, a prologue.

The beginning

My Father had once told me, that both of my Grandfathers had served in France and Flanders during ‘The Great War’. I had met and loved both of them; but was just 10 by the time they had passed away.  One of the things he told me was, both had been wounded while serving either, on the Somme or at Ypres. Being so young, although in awe and very proud, I never questioned the who’s, the why’s and the wherefores’. Barely understanding that both had sat and fought in a Trench during the First World War.

I had both sets of War medals given to me to safe guard and keep; during the late 1990s.  Although I had already turned 30, I again, never really questioned what the medals meant. To a greater or lesser extent they were bits of metal with fancy ribbon; once owned by my Grandfathers.

 

First the realisation

On the evening of Monday 4th August 2014, I placed a couple of old photographs by a lamp; as many others may have done.  For on this day, it was hoped that the Lights across the UK would be extinguished, for one hour, (Note i).  This, was of course, to mark the centenary of the declaration of War on Germany.  4th August 1914!  In remembrance for the millions who fell during four years of warfare in Europe.

Note i “The lamps are going out all over Europe, we shall not see them lit again in our lifetime.” was reportedly said by Sir Edward Grey, (British Foreign Secretary) on the eve, (3rd Aug 1914) of the declaration of War with Germany.

This vigil, for me, became quite significant.  For during the evening, I removed both sets of my Grandfathers medals from their boxes and displayed them.  In that instant I became really quite curious about what these medals meant and why my Grandfathers had received them.

 

Then the obsession

That moment started something that I struggled to contain…  It has become something that may be described as an obsession!  An obsession I have thought of making a living on.  In those 2 1/2 years I have collected and read over 50 books.  I have joined those family history research web sites.  Researched both my Grandfather’s War histories.  I am now beginning to publish my findings and experiences within the blog categories on this platform.

 

Question what you know and involve the family

My initial thought was to question the words I had been told by my Father. I hoped this would distinguish possible relationships to the old War medals. This didn’t help much. However, by looking at the medals closely, it did give me more information. For on the rim of the medals, contains the Name, Rank and Number of the Soldier. One set of medals included a set of original documents that also gave up excellent information to begin some research.

It is essential to bring up, at this stage, the importance of talking to other members of the family. They may be the key to obtaining new information or stories, that point you in new directions. Not just regarding the War, but also the rest of your ancestors lives. As older generations of family have gone, so have the family stories.

 

What’s next… Trench

I have come a long way since that Monday evening in 2014. However, I believe there is still much more I can do in building my Grandfathers stories. I have come up with some excellent and exciting accounts; that I will share in other blogs. It can be quite sad at times, but mostly I’ve got a great buzz from what I’ve learnt. I would love to help you all to find your families WW1 stories. I hope you can experience that buzz of learning something new too.  With this and along with you and Smart Digital Mapping I hope to continue to develop a multi feature, Great War project.

Trench

• Research Service
  • WW1 Soldiers Service
  • Understanding Documents
  • WW1 Photo Interpretation

• Research Project
  • Web Site, a platform to showcase projects
  • Blogs that inform, encourage and inspire people to learn more about their ancestors, during 1914 – 18
  • Build tools to help users with there own research and to give back to the wider project
  • Build upon personal and Smart Digital Mapping’s project of identifying the men and units of the Leicestershire Regiment, significantly 4th Battalion, (Territorial)

Keep a look out for Smart Digital mapping, Trench – The Great War Project and part two of this blog.