Project 110

Since its formation the Essex Branch has proudly created an extensive record of the local Fallen from the First World War. This does not just cover the men of the Essex Regiment or the Essex Yeomanry but also those men and women from Essex that served in other units or services. This work, started by John Bailey, Brian Clayton and Monica Bayley was paper-based and expanded into many thousands of cards and documents. In 2024, the 110th anniversary of the start of the war, hence Project 110, a decision was made to try and digitise these records in order that they could be made available to a wider audience by passing this information to organisations such as the Essex Record Office. This process is very time consuming, and Karen Dennis, Branch Memorials Officer, and committee members Martin Giess and Tim Open are making great progress.

One of the benefits is that in the process from digitising information from an index card, additional research is attempted, and we are finding out much more about many soldiers than just their name on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission records. For example, one man who died in Egypt enlisted in an Essex Territorial Force artillery unit. He deserted, not to escape service, but to join another unit that was designated for overseas service, unlike his original unit which was designated for home service. Project 110 is both a way of remembering the Fallen and acknowledging the huge amount of research work undertaken by previous Essex WFA Members, and making it available to an audience, potentially, worldwide.

In this presentation the progress of Project 110 will be discussed as well as a selection of fascinating stories of those who served that would be unknown in such detail without this project.

This meeting is at The Village Hall, Maldon Road, Hatfield Peverel, CM3 2HP, starting at 8pm. Hot drinks and water are available.

Members and non-members of The Western Front Association are equally welcome. Any new visitors are guaranteed a friendly atmosphere and a warm welcome from a group of like-minded enthusiasts