Funding aid to help create war database
Motherwell-based Lanarkshire Family History Society has been awarded a grant by The Heritage Lottery Fund for the creation of a database containing information on all the men from North and South Lanarkshire who died in WW1.
The project will cover the battlefields of France and Flanders, including the major battles at Arras, Loos and the Somme, together with the engagements at Gallipoli, Salonika, in Mesopotamia, Sinai and Palestine.
Men who lost their lives at sea and in the air will also be researched.
This index will contain all available information, including service number, rank, battalion, brigade, regiment, unit, squadron or ship.
It will detail how and where each man fell, and where he is interred or commemorated.
Many servicemen are named on more than one memorial, with schools, universities, churches, sports clubs, places of work, Masonic lodges and family headstones often commemorating those who died in the Great War.
The ultimate aim of the project is to provide families and interested parties with as much information as possible to help them research their ancestors and relatives.
North Lanarkshire families are encouraged to get in touch with Lanarkshire Family History Society so that relatives’ details can be added to the list.
Enquiries from members of the public regarding local men who lost their lives in the Great War are welcomed.
The Society will be giving short presentations to clubs and groups about the project, in particular to schools planning trips to the cemeteries and battlefields of France and Flanders.
To arrange a talk or for more information about the project email: fallenww1-lanarkshirefhs@hotmail. co.uk
For any other military queries contact: militarylanarkshirefhs@hotmail.co.uk
Lanarkshire Family History Society’s Research Centre is located at 123-124 Merry Street, Motherwell ML1 1NA.
Access is from the rear of the building. The centre is open Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays from noon to 3pm, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7 to 9pm (except the second Thursday of the month). Visitors are always welcome.