Somerset’s First World War History Goes Online
A major project to create indexes of First World War sources for Somerset has just been completed.
The names of thousands of Somerset people who served in the war are now searchable online, thanks to volunteers and archivists who worked together as part of the Somerset Remembers Project. Somerset Remembers was funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, and other generous funders, to mark the centenary of the First World War.
First World War research
People who want to research their First World War ancestors can now view complete transcripts of some material, as well as indexes to others. The sources are part of the rich archives held at the Somerset Heritage Centre in Taunton.
Liz Grant, an archivist at the Heritage Centre, said: “The records tell a fascinating story of Somerset people who served in the First World War. In many cases these documents are the only record of their experiences.”
The indexes include the muster roll and casualty list of the 1st Battalion the Somerset Light Infantry, the casualty list of the North Somerset Yeomanry, and a record of the war service of men and women from the Borough of Taunton.
More than 50 volunteers were involved in archival research for Somerset Remembers. The project was led by the South West Heritage Trust.
To view the indexes
To view the indexes, go to the Somerset Remembers website at www.somersetremembers.com/research.ashx
IMAGE: Members of the 1st Battalion Somerset Light Infantry at Ploegsteert Wood, winter 1914. This is where the battalion witnessed the Christmas Truce of December 1914.
Image from the Somerset Light Infantry Regimental collection.