REMEMBERING THOSE WHO FOUGHT

After the First World War ended, war memorials and books of remembrance sprung up across the country to remember the fallen. Now, as we mark the centenary, we can remember those who fought using digital solutions that anyone can contribute to.

LIVES OF THE FIRST WORLD WAR livesofthefirstworld war.org

This digital memorial set up by the Imperial War Museums aims to remember those who served Britain and the Commonwealth during the First World War. The database has been populated using names from medal index cards and other sources and IWM encourages visitors to add their own stories and images. It is free to visit the site and add details to an entry but you can also subscribe (£50 a year or £6 for a month) to gain access to millions of military records supplied by findmypast.co.uk as well as the option to set up or join a ‘community’.

EVERY MAN REMEMBERED everymanremembered. org

This Royal British Legion memorial project was established to commemorate the 1.1 million British and Commonwealth service men and women who lost their lives during the First World War. Visitors to the website are encouraged to search for the fallen in their own families and place a virtual poppy in their memory. You can add a short commemoration to the website (with a maximum of 140 characters) as well as adding a photo or a longer story about your ancestor’s wartime experiences and background if you wish.

PASSCHENDAELE ARCHIVES PROJECT archives.passchendaele. be/ en

The Passchendaele Archives in Zonnebeke, Belgium, is looking for contributions to its database of those who fell during the Battle of Passchendaele, from 12 July to 15 November 1917. They would like to put a face and a story behind the names and are specifically looking for contributors who can supply them with a photo and biographical details of those who were killed or mortally wounded. In return, they will send a map detailing the approximate place where your relative died and a short report based on the war diary of his unit.