As the centenary of the outbreak of war approaches, Devon County Council, along with many other organisations, is preparing to help remember the Fallen of World War 1. Devon Remembers has been launched. This is a grant scheme to support the conservation of war memorials. Associated community research projects are planned.
The Great War has had a lasting impact on the British people, communities and landscape. The conservation of memorials, recording and researching the individuals who are named on them, where and how they served, and the communities that they left and that their comrades returned to, are just one contribution to a range of commemorative projects that will be undertaken across Britain and around the world over the next 5 years.
Is your community war memorial recorded on the Devon County Historic Environment Record? Have a look on Heritage Gateway [try a search for Where = County (Devon), What = War Memorial and When = Date Range (1914AD – 1918AD)]. If not, let us know and send us details (email: archaeol@devon.gov.uk). Do you have other sites that were involved in the First World War in your neighbourhood – coastal defences, wartime wrecks, drill halls, rifle ranges, hospitals, factories? Let us know and help the research effort.
For more information about Devon Remembers or to apply for funding to restore a public war memorial that commemorates WW1, visit the Community Council of Devon’s website, or email Lesley@devonrcc.org.uk