Help To Find Chiswick's World War One 'Heroes'

St Michael's Church launch project to trace local stories

The project by St. Michael's Church, Elmwood Road, to discover the stories of locals who died during the First World War has gathered momentum with the appointment of Project Manager Steve Rolling and a workshop on November 30th inviting people to learn how to research their family history.

St Michael's is inviting local people of all ages to help discover, document and share Chiswick’s First World War heritage as part of its new project being launched at the Church on 30th November, 6pm – 7.30pm.

The 'Heroes of Chiswick' project will support local people to research the impact of the First World War on Chiswick, and will begin by uncovering the lives of 33 First World War soldiers from the Parish whose names and regiments are listed on the Church’s two commemorative pillars and a series of stunning stained-glass windows.

The November 30th event will include a workshop on ‘How to research your First World War family history’ from Volunteer Researcher Sarah Tonks, as well as a chance to view the church memorials, and hear more about all of the exciting opportunities for everyone to get involved.

There will then be open monthly ‘Heroes of Chiswick’ group meetings at St. Michael’s Church, W4 3DY,  on the second Sunday of each month from 11.30am – 12.30pm, starting on 8 th December. Anyone who wants to volunteer, find out more, or share local WW1 memorabilia they've found is invited to join the group. 

Steve Rolling said : “I'm excited to start tracing these lost Heroes of Chiswick, and I'd love to involve as many local people as possible in the search for Chiswick's First World War heritage. Young and old alike, we can all play our part.”

The Rev Martine Oborne

The ‘Heroes of Chiswick’ project has been made possible by a £10,000 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund received through their First World War: Then and Now programme. Volunteers will receive free archive and museum visits, oral history and research training sessions, and opportunities to contribute to a new Heroes of Chiswick exhibition by collecting letters, documents, newspaper clippings, photographs and local families’ stories of the First World War.

Sue Bowers, Head of Heritage Lottery Fund London, said: “The First World War changed the face of modern history touching the lives of everyone in this country and beyond.  HLF has committed to funding a variety of projects, from organisations large and small, that will create a deeper understanding of the heritage of the conflict. Some of these will capture the memories of individual soldiers, regiments or families, some will restore local war memorials, whilst others like Heroes of Chiswick, will seek out the stories of those who gave their lives."

With the centenary of the outbreak of war approaching next year, the Rev Martine Oborne wants to find out more about the twenty-three young men whose names are listed on two pillars and the stained glass memorial windows in the church.

Anyone who is interested in the project, or who has information to share can contact: heroesofchiswick@gmail.com .

To find out how to apply for funding visit www.hlf.org.uk/thenandnow. If a group needs a grant of more than £10,000 for a First World War project, it can apply to HLF through its open programmes www.hlf.org.uk/firstworldwar.

November 25, 2013