East Twickenham Centennial Group: Commemoration of ‘The Belgian Village on the Thames’: the huge community of First World War Belgian refugees who lived across Twickenham, St Margaret’s, Richmond and other parts of the Borough, centering around the Pelabon Munitions Works in East Twickenham. A memorial to the Belgian community is planned – help is gratefully received via the Belgian Refugee Memorial Fund. A Community Pageant is planned for 2017. If you are descended from a Belgian refugee, or know anyone who is, please get in touch.
- Contact: Helen Baker – etwickvill@hotmail.com
Foreverhere: Delivered in partnership with schools, Foreverhere aims at teaching new generations the value of lives lost during WWI. It’s objective is to create durable bonds between the youth of today and the people who gave their lives during the war.
- Contact: Emmanuel Caboche – ecaboche@foreverhere.org
Friends of North Sheen Recreation Ground: The 137 First World War servicemen from the area around North Sheen Recreation Ground have been researched and their locations added to a large map of the area. An exhibition was held which shared the stories of six of the 137 men. A memorial bench and poppy flowerbed are also being installed in North Sheen Recreation Ground.
- Contact: Sue Burden – friendsnsr@gmail.com
Hampton Wick Remembers: As part of Hampton Wick Remembers, the names of the men commemorated on the Hampton Wick War Memorial are being researched, with their stories being shared online. Information about those men whose names do not appear on the memorial, is also being gathered.
Kew Gardens: Coinciding with the Centenary of the First World War, and the 75th Anniversary of the Second World War, ‘Kew Gardens at War’ is uncovering many fascinating and surprising ways in which Kew’s men and women were thrust into a turbulent new world. Join Kew Gardens for a series of tours, exhibitions, blogs and tours.
- Contact: James Wearn – j.wearn@kew.org
Landmark Arts Centre: The Landmark Arts Centre is community arts venue that programmes a year-round range of concerts, events, exhibitions and arts education activities for all ages. A Registered Charity, it is proud to be part of the WWI Partnership and this year is organising a textile exhibition as its contribution.
- Contact: Lesley Bossine – info@landmarkartscentre.org or telephone 0208 977 7558
My Life Films: My Life Films is a charity that makes free biographical films for people with dementia by turning old memories, anecdotes and achievements into a personal film package.
- Contact: Rosie Polya – rosie@mylifefilms.org
Museum of Richmond: Following on from a successful exhibition and schools programme, the Museum of Richmond is continuing with its project; ‘1914-1918 Richmond at Home and at War’, with stories regularly posted on their WWI blog. Keep up to date with the blog and events here.
- Contact: museumofrichmond@btconnect.com
The National Archives: The National Archives holds the official UK government records of the First World War, including a vast collection of letters, diaries, maps and photographs. The National Archives will be marking the centenary of the war with an extensive programme of events spanning a five year period between 2014-2019. Follow the activity on their blog.
- Contact: Jessamy Carlson – firstworldwar@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk
Optik Theatre: Optik Theatre is preparing a performance and exhibition to commemorate the First World War. The event at SS Philip & James features the work of Gertrude Jennings, a female writer and activist during WWI. Follow the project on Twitter and on the website.
- Contact: Barry Edwards – mail@barryedwards.net
The Poppy Factory Richmond: For over 90 years, the Poppy Factory in Richmond has been making poppies, crosses, and wreaths for The Royal Family and The Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal. In recent years, The Poppy Factory has transformed itself into a thoroughly modern charity. As well as providing work for disabled veterans, The Poppy Factory uses its unique expertise to help its clients find work. The Poppy Factory warmly welcome visitors on free, pre-arranged tours, to see the poppies and wreaths being made and to learn about its history. Guided tours take about 2 hours and take place Mon-Thurs. A tour is a great way to explore the Borough’s heritage.
- Contact: Harry Steele – HarrySteele@poppyfactory.org
Richmond upon Thames Local Studies Library & Archive: The Local Studies Collection is based at the Old Town Hall, Richmond, and provides access to material relating to the Borough during the First World War. By visiting the search room, it is possible to access a range of unique and fascinating archive material about the experiences of the local community during the First World War. Local Studies have also developed a commemorative programme known as “Follow the Drum 2014-1018”, encompassing training and outreach opportunities, educational activities, information sheets and a blog.
- Contact: Patricia Moloney – localstudies@richmond.gov.uk
Rugby Football Union: The RFU is organising a four year programme of commemoration to mark the 100th anniversary of the First World War. In addition to researching players who died during the conflict, the RFU is also working in partnership with schools to encourage pupils to discover more about WWI. Schools are encouraged to take part in a research competition.
- Contact: museum@rfu.com
Strawberry Hill Residents Association ‘Hunt for Heroes’: SHRA is conducting research into the involvement of residents of the Strawberry Hill area in the Great War. Please contact Peter Lamb if you have any information about people who lived in the Strawberry Hill area and were involved in the war, either in the military services or on the home front.The recent editions of the Strawberry Hill Residents’ Association Bulletin contain articles on our research to date.
- Contact: Peter Lamb – lambpc0950@hotmail.com
The Teddington Society History Group: Throughout the Centenary, the Teddington Society History Group aims to establish a full list of Teddington’s war dead; to reconstitute the names on the St Alban’s War Memorial; to add any missing names to the Teddington Hospital War Memorial; and to prepare a book of this research, to be deposited in Teddington’s churches and libraries.
- Contact: Ken Howe – howe64@btinternet.com
Twickenham Museum: In September 2015, Twickenham Museum will release a 40 minute drama podcast exploring the story of Frank Edwards, a local man who became known as the ‘Footballer of Loos’. An exhibition at the museum will also explore his story. More information can be found here.
Richmond's First World War 