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Welcome to our blog. Here you’ll find contributions from local historians and experts on the subject of Staffordshire’s involvement in the Great War, and on the commemorative events taking place throughout the County.

Mid-Staffordshire Appeals Project – Denise Peel

Denise Peel is a volunteer for Staffordshire Records Office, currently cataloguing the Staffordshire County Council Minute Books as part of the WW1 Mid-Staffordshire Appeals 1916-1918 project. Here she shares her thoughts on the project so far, and some of the interesting features she has unearthed. Through the development of this project, not only have we…

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Heath Hayes War Memorial

Have you ever driven around the ‘Five Ways’ roundabout in Heath Hayes and wondered why there were such ornate gates into a park ? Read more about the memorial and the people of Heath Hayes on the World War 1 website. See more images

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WW1 Centenary Staffordshire Wing Field Day Competition 2014

1871 (Rugeley) Squadron Air Training Corps Published on 29 May 2014 At the outbreak of World War 1, many people were optimistic and though victory would be swift. However, the reality of War was much different and the horrors of war soon became apparent. This video attempts to document the two sides of the war…

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Zeppelin Raid over Burton-on-Trent

In 1916 Burton- on-Trent was bombed during a zeppelin raid. Professor Carl Chinn and Mike Powis have both researched and written articles on the raid. The house in the picture is thought to be 109 Shobnall Street. Harriet Worthington of 108 Shobnall Street took her two children – Mary aged 11 and George aged 6…

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Jack Sadler’s Story

John George Sadler (always known as Jack) was 28 in 1916. He was a self-employed jobbing builder in Byker, Newcastle-on-Tyne. He believed that if there were no armies or navies there would be no war, and the way to stop war would be for everyone to refuse to join the armed forces. When conscription came,…

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Grenade Incident on Cannock Chase

Second lieutenant Randolph Ridling threw himself into a trench to save the life of a recruit who had taken the pin from a live hand grenade, taking most of the impact in the ensuing explosion and was awarded the George Medal. The brave act by the New Zealand officer took place during the First World…

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Can women be trusted ?

Article from the Tamworth Herald – Saturday 7th November 1914   RECRUITS’ TEMPTATION – ARCHBISHOP OF YORK ON TOWN DANGERS: We have been asked to publish from a letter of the Archbishop of York to his diocese calling attention to three special war problems:-   (1)  The troops quartered or billeted in our midst –…

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Meatless Dinners + Air Raids

Burton Mail : Articles from WW1 [Held at Burton Library] July 1916 THUSDAY JULY 6TH 1916: MEATLESS DINNER RECIPES Selection from last week’s contributions. Here are a few more selections from the recipes for a meatless dinner which were sent in by competitors last week. SAVOURY BEANS AND CHEESE 1/4LB haricot beans 1/2lb grated cheese…

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Girls wanted to work in Burton

Burton Mail : Articles from WW1 [Held at Burton Library] June 1916 MONDAY JUNE 5TH 1916: EDUCATIONAL (See also C/C/M/2/6b/257) More girls wanted. In the latest report on the labour market The Board of Trade emphatically states that the increasing number of enlistments explains the need for MORE WOMEN AND GIRLS, and the substitution of…

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News Archives

  • Will Crooks Recruits for War
  • Mid-Staffordshire Appeals Project – Denise Peel
  • Heath Hayes War Memorial
  • WW1 Centenary Staffordshire Wing Field Day Competition 2014
  • Zeppelin Raid over Burton-on-Trent
  • Jack Sadler’s Story
  • Grenade Incident on Cannock Chase
  • Can women be trusted ?
  • Meatless Dinners + Air Raids
  • Girls wanted to work in Burton