Lost war stories
COLLEGE STAFF AND STUDENTS RECALLED IN BOOK
THE lost stories of more than 200 college staff and students who fought and died in the First World War have been recorded for posterity in an online memory book.
Over the last four years, student and community volunteers have used the Newcastle University’s special collection archives and online resources to piece together the stories of the men who worked or studied at Armstrong College.
The college was then part of Durham University but later became Newcastle University.
A collaboration between Newcastle and Durham universities, the Universities at War project was inspired by the plaque featuring the names of the 223 men in Newcastle University’s Armstrong Building.
With funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund, the team has developed a website http://www.universitiesatwar.org.uk which features profiles of the men including an overview of their military service, their biographical information, what they studied and where they died.
The website also includes interactive maps showing a timeline of the fallen and where the men came from – including places as far afield as Canada and Australia.
Dr Jane Webster, senior lecturer in the School of History, Classics and Archaeology at Newcastle University, said: “Most people don’t look at the plaque when they walk past it in the Armstrong Building, but the hard work of our students and community volunteers help us all to remember that these were real men, with real
lives. “The war had an impact in every corner of the world, and the response we’ve had in this project – both locally and internationally – shows that there is still huge interest in telling the personal histories of those caught up in the war.
“Our volunteers have uncovered some fascinating stories – about the life people gave up to go to war, and the sacrifice they made. The stories we’ve been able to collate will help us ensure that the men, and the history of the area at the time, are not forgotten.”
Among the men remembered is 2nd Lieutenant John H. Feggetter