Research Websites

Established by Royal Charter in 1917, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission pays tribute to the 1,700,000 men and women of the Commonwealth forces who died in the two world wars. It is a non-profit-making organisation that was founded by Sir Fabian Ware.

The Western Front Association

 The Western Front Association (WFA) was formed with the aim of furthering interest in The Great War of 1914-1918. We also aim to perpetuate the memory, courage and comradeship of all those on all sides who served their countries in France and Flanders and their own countries during The Great War.

Established in 1980 by noted military historian John Giles, the WFA has grown over the years to some 6,000 members worldwide. The object of the Association is to educate the public in the history of The Great War with particular reference to the Western Front.

The War Graves Photographic Project

The original aim of The War Graves Photographic Project was to photograph every war grave, individual memorial, Ministry of Defence grave, and family memorial of serving military personnel from WWI to the present day. However, due to its popularity we have now extended our remit to cover all nationalities and military conflicts and make these available within a searchable database.

War Memorials Trust 

War Memorials Trust works for the protection and conservation of war memorials in the UK. We provide advice and information to anyone as well as running grant schemes for the repair and conservation of war memorials. The website provides a range of resources to help you discover more about war memorials and their preservation.

UK National Inventory of War Memorials

The UK National Inventory of War Memorials is based at the Imperial War Museum and is working to compile a record of all war memorials in the UK and to promote their appreciation, use and preservation.

 Clean 2018

 Clean 2018 believes that the problem of war memorial deterioration is so widespread that it demands the attention of Central Government.  Its primary aim is therefore to press for the creation of “A National War memorial Restoration Fund” to finance a renovation programme for war memorials to take place prior to November 2018.

 Roll of Honour – Staffordshire

 Throughout Staffordshire there are various memorials and rolls of honour dedicated to those men and women who fell in various wars. These memorials and rolls cover many centuries in some cases, mostly though it is World War One and Two.

First World War Centenary

2014 will mark 100 years since the outbreak of the First World War. 1914.org will highlight centenary events and resources from across the globe – this is an Imperial War Museum website

Last Post Association

Ieper (Ypres) – The Last Post, the traditional final salute to the fallen, is played by the buglers in honour of the memory of the soldiers of the former British Empire and its allies, who died in the Ypres Salient during the First World War. It is the intention of the Last Post Association to maintain this daily act of homage in perpetuity.

 The Great War Forum

 Forum for exchanging information about the Great War

The Long, Long Trail

 The British Army in the Great War

We had done all that was expected of us

Andrew Thornton’s articles on “Staffordshire’s Territorials and the Assault on the Hohenzollern Redoubt  13th October 1915” – the battle where “2375 Private Ernest Plumb, Tutbury” was killed.  During the course of the battle the North and South Staffords lost 68 officers (39%) and 1,478 other ranks (34%).

Tommy at Gommecourt

Tommy at Gommecourt is the diary of my Grandfather, Tommy Higgins, who served in the 1st/5th North Stafford Regiment during the First World War. 
Tommy describes the life and battles of WWI with vivid detail. These include going over the top at Gommecourt on that fatal day of  1st July 1916, the battle of Bucquoy in March 1917, a desperate bayonet fight at the battle of Lens on the 1st July 1917, and a harrowing 16 months as a prisoner of war.” Alan Higgins, Tommy’s Grandson

Gommecourt – 1st July 1916

Remembering the men of London, the North Midlands and Monmouthshire who fought and died at Gommecourt, 1st July 1916.  A comprehensive, in depth, analysis of the battle at Gommecourt.