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KEEPING THEIR STORIES ALIVE

Lest We Forget was a National Lottery Heritage Funded project led by the University of Oxford and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission that aimed to collect and digitally archive First World War artefacts stored in bedrooms and attics across the United Kingdom.

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COMMUNITY COLLECTION DAYS

The Lest We Forget project supported 38 volunteer-led community collection days between October 2017 and July 2019.

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ONLINE ARCHIVE

Browse through our free online archive and uncover fascinating stories, memories and artefacts about the First World War.

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A tank mask brought back from France by Bill Whitfield of the Tank Corps

Bradford City Hall, 2 Feb 2019

“Grandpa was very lucky that he got out there right at the beginning!”

Anonymous contributor writing about his grandfather, Wilhelm, who was captured in Gommecourt, 1 July 1916

Cyril Green's glove shrunk when it was exposed to nerve gas. The glove was recovered from the battlefield.

Holyport College, 19 Sep 2018

“There were no medals for Emily but she was a truly wonderful, remarkable, uneducated but lovely lady.”

Deborah Cameron on her grandmother, Emily, who raised four boys alone after her husband was killed defending Antwerp in 1914.

Pocket watch belonging to Pte Sidney Crook of the 5th Battalion Canadian Infantry

Uploaded by David Cole, 4 Dec 2018

“As my grandmother could not afford to visit his grave in France, I was the first family member to visit.”

Linda Wade talking about her grandfather, Pte Robert Stewart, who served in the King’s Own Scottish Borderers and was killed in 1916

Sacrifice pendant of Mary Black McGilvray McLennan, whose son, William, died in France in July 1916.

Gordon Highlanders Museum, 27 Feb 2019

“Most years, around Remembrance Day, my father and I would check his medals and try out the whistle, always unsuccessfully.”

Mike Pratt remembering his father, Capt John Pratt, who served in the 5th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry

A set of German binoculars brought back by Colin Scott Mackenzie of the Ross Mountain Battery, 4th Highland Mountain Brigade.

St. John’s, Menston, 3 Nov 2018

“He kept very precise diaries but never mentioned any family memories or feelings.”

Susan Crawforth speaking about her father, Frank Lake, a mechanic in the Army Service Corps

“These were likely purchased during the war. They belonged to my grandfather, James Sellwood, who served as a soldier.”

Sunningwell Primary School, 2 Jan 2018

Captain Arthur Henry Douglas left a photo album of his time in the army during the war.

Included in the album are four cartoons that he drew of the trenches.

Brooch sent to Nellie Foster from Jack Speight while serving in France. Jack was killed during the war and Nellie never married.

Bradford City Hall, 2 Feb 2019

Leather-bound birthday card sent to Thomas 'Will' Eaton on his 21st birthday. The leather work was made by Wills' father, a bookbinder.

King's High, Warwick, 8 June 2018

Private William Ernest Stephens, Worcestershire Yeomanry, served in Egypt and brought back many photographs and postcards.

St Helen’s Church, Worcester, 15 March 2019

Diary of Lily Jane Hawkins, Lady’s Maid to Lady Mary Herbert, wife of Colonel The Honourable Aubrey Herbert.

St John’s Church, Menston, 3 Nov 2018

A bracelet made of uniform buttons that Private Albert Stokes (Royal Engineers) made for his wife, Beatrice.

Stourport-on-Severn Library, 10 Nov 2018

Screenshot of 3D model of the Princess Mary Tin Gift in Cabinet

Would you like to learn more about key objects from the First World War? Then take a look at this selection of commonly surviving relics from the First World War in 2D and 3D on the online platform Cabinet.

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