Bowes Museum Ww1

To Serve King and Country is a 5 year commemorative project exploring the role men and women from the 44 Townships of the Teesdale Union played in WW1.

In 1915, Owen Scott, the curator of The Bowes Museum, sent out a letter to the 44 townships of Teesdale suggesting a Roll of Honour be created to record all those individuals who served in the First World War – ‘whether in the Navy, the Army, or as Nurses – and of whatever rank. ’ For unknown reasons, the Roll of Honour was not completed, although nearly 500 names are listed in the returns held in the Museum’s archive. The Museum is embarking on an ambitious project to complete the task started back in 1915, covering the original 44 townships and incorporating areas now included in Teesdale.

The Museum will assist individuals and community groups over a five year period in researching Teesdale people involved in the war and in creating a permanent social history record of the impact of war on the local area. The project will explore themes such as the impact on the role of women, agriculture, communities and future generations.

The project will involve a number of community events, culminating hopefully in a publication and an exhibition including artefacts, histories, letters and photographs uncovered in the research phase of the project. Ongoing progress and discoveries made along the way will be reported in partnership with the Teesdale Mercury and on the website.

To take part in the project or to be added to the mailing list for progress updates, please get in touch.