2012-09-06

Καλύτερο έκθεμα στη συλλογή αντικειμένων Πρώτου Παγκοσμίου Πολέμου που διεξήχθη στη Σλοβενία

Καλύτερο έκθεμα στη συλλογή αντικειμένων Πρώτου Παγκοσμίου Πολέμου που διεξήχθη στη Σλοβενία

Την 23η Μαΐου 2012, η δημόσια Βιβλιοθήκη του Celje στη Σλοβενία φιλοξένησε το πρόγραμμα Europeana 1914-1918 το οποίο μέσα από τις συλλογές και παρουσιάσεις εκθεμάτων έφερε στις μνήμες μας τους τραυματισμούς από τον πρώτο παγκόσμιο πόλεμο καθώς επίσης την αποφασιστικότητα για μάχη μέσα από τις κακουχίες όσων βρίσκονταν μπροστά στο μέτωπο.

Χαρακτηριστικό, ήταν ένα προσθετικό άκρο (πόδι)με δυο διαφορετικές συνδέσεις στα κάτω άκρα που ανήκε στον Jakob Veber και το έφερε το μέλος της οικογένειας του Stanislav Veber. Το πόδι και τα δύο του άκρα φτιαγμένα από ξύλο, δέρμα και σιδερένια καρφιά είναι πολύ καλά διατηρημένα. Ο Jakob χρησιμοποιούσε το ολοκληρωμένο πόδι σε συνήθεις περιστάσεις και το απλό πόδι κατά τη διάρκεια της δουλειάς ή για εγχώρια χρήση.

Μαζί με το προσθετικό άκρο, ο Stanislav έφερε μαζί του και την ιστορία της οικογένειας του:

Ο Jakob Veber, γεννηθείς την 20η Ιανουαρίου 1888, μεγάλωσε σε μία φάρμα στην Galicija δίπλα από το Žalec με τους δύο αδερφούς του. Και οι τρείς νεαροί άντρες στρατολογήθηκαν από τις Σλοβενικές δυνάμεις κατά τη διάρκεια του πρώτου παγκοσμίου πολέμου και ο Jakob πήγε να πολεμήσει στο Ανατολικό μέτωπο στη Ρωσία. Το 1917 σε ηλικία 29 ετών, έχασε το δεξί του πόδι στο πεδίο της μάχης. Παρά το φρικιαστικό του τραυματισμό, ο Jakob παρέμεινε στο μέτωπο μέχρι το τέλος του πολέμουμε την βοήθεια του προσθετικού άκρου και των ψεύτικων κάτω άκρων. Όταν ο πόλεμος τελείωσε ο Jakob μπόρεσε να επιστρέψει σπίτι του.

Δυστυχώς δεν μπορεί να λεχθεί το ίδιο για τον αδερφό του Janez, ο οποίος σκοτώθηκε κατά τη διάρκεια του πολέμου, αφήνοντας πίσω του τη σύζυγο του Maria Veber και τα τρία παιδιά τους Franca, Angelo και Jožefo. Ακολούθως ο Jakob ένας τραυματισμένος βετεράνος πολέμου φρόντισε την κουνιάδα του και την οικογένεια της.

Ύστερα από χρόνια, ο Jakob και η Μαρία παντρεύτηκαν και έκαναν δύο δικά τους αγόρια, τον Vincent και τον Adolf. Η Μαρία πέθανε το 1936 σε ηλικία 47 ετών και όταν ξέσπασε πάλι πόλεμος και τα δύο αγόρια στρατολογήθηκαν στις στρατιωτικές δυνάμεις όπως ο πατέρας και θείος τους. Και οι δύο πολέμησαν κατά τη διάρκεια του δευτέρου παγκοσμίου πολέμου και ευτυχώς επιβίωσαν. Ο πατέρας τους Jakob πέθανε σε ηλικία 61 ετών στις 15 Μαρτίου 1949.

Το προσθετικό άκρο του Jakob είναι το πρώτο παράδειγμα προσθετικού ποδιού το οποίο καταχωρήθηκε στο πρόγραμμα μέχρι σήμερα. Μπορείτε να δείτε φωτογραφίες από τον στρατιώτη του πρώτου παγκοσμίου πολέμου Herman Peschel με προσθετικά χέριαεδώ.

Πατήστε εδώ για περισσότερες φωτογραφίες

2012-09-04

Σώθηκε από τη Βίβλο του – Μια οικογενειακή ιστορία

Η Βίβλος που έσωσε μια ζωή
Μια εκπληκτική οικογενειακή ιστορία καταχωρήθηκε στην ιστοσελίδα του Europeana 1914-1918 από τον καθηγητή Gottfried Geiler από το Leipzig. Το 1917 μια βίβλος έσωσε τη ζωή του στρατιώτη πατέρα του Kurt Geiler.

Κατά τη διάρκεια του ατελείωτου πολέμου των χαρακωμάτων Νοτιοανατολικά της Γαλλίας ο Kurt Geiler κοιμόταν όπως πάντα με την Βίβλο του κάτω από το κεφάλι του. Ξαφνικά, ένα απευθείας χτύπημα κατέστρεψε ολοσχερώς το καταφύγιο του με αποτέλεσμα να υπάρχουν παντού νεκροί και πληγωμένοι στρατιώτες. Ο Geiler χωρίς να τραυματιστεί κατάφερε να ξεφύγει από τα χαλάσματα. Αργότερα, βρήκε τη Βίβλο του στο έδαφος και προς έκπληξη του διαπίστωσε ότι μέσα στη Βίβλο υπήρχε σφηνωμένο ένα κέλυφος από εκρηκτικήοβίδα. Χωρίς τη Βίβλο αυτή η οβίδα θα του έλιωνε κυριολεκτικά το κεφάλι. Έκτοτε αυτή η Βίβλος αποτελεί ένα σημαντικό ενθύμιο για την οικογένεια.
(Text by Frank Drauschke)

2012-08-13

Kunstige fødder til hverdag og fest ved det slovenske roadshow

Best foot forward at Slovenia WW1 road show

Ved Europeana 1914-1918's roadshow i Celje, Slovenien d. 23. maj 2012, dukkede både smertefulde påmindelser om lidelserne i Første Verdenskrig op, men også beviser på, hvordan folk ved fronten kæmpede mod omstændighederne.

Stanislav Veber havde et kunstigt ben med, der oprindeligt tilhørte et familiemedlem; Jakob Veber. Det kunstige ben har to forskellige fødder, der kan sættes på, og er lavet af træ, læder og jernnitter. Det er overordentlig godt bevaret. Jakob Veber brugte den bedste fod – den hele fod – ved festlige lejligheder, og den simple træstump til arbejde og dagligdags begivenheder.

Stanislav Veber havde ikke kun det kunstige ben med, men også sin families historie.

Jakob Veber blev født d. 20. januar 1988 og voksede op på en gård i Galidja nær Žalec med sine to brødre. Alle tre blev de hvervet til den slovenske hær under Første Verdenskrig, og Jakob blev sendt til Østfronten i Rusland. I 1917, da han var 29 år gammel, mistede han benet i kamp. På trods af den forfærdelige skade blev han ved fronten krigen ud ved hjælp af et kunstigt ben og to kunstige fødder til det. Da krigen sluttede, kunne Jakob endelig vende hjem.

Det samme gjaldt desværre ikke hans bror, Janez, der faldt under krigen og efterlod sig en kone, Maria, og deres tre børn Franca, Angelo og Jožefo. Jakob, den sårede krigsveteran, endte med at tage sig af både svigerinde og børn.

Nogle år senere blev Jakob og Maria gift og fik to sønner; Vincent og Adolf. Skæbnen viste sig at blive lidt blandet for familien. Maria døde som 47-årig i 1936, og da der igen udbrød krig, blev begge sønner hvervet til de væbnede styrker – akkurat som deres far og onkler tidligere. Begge sønner kæmpede hele krigen og overlevede begge to. Jakob døde som 61-årig d. 15. marts 1949.

JJakobs ben er det eneste kunstige ben, Europeana 1914-1918 endnu har set. Du kan se den tyske Første Verdenskrigs-soldat, Herman Peschel, med kunstige arme her.

Klik her for flere billeder

2012-07-31

Mit dem besten Fuß - Der Aktionstag in Celje/Slowenien

Mit dem besten Fuß - Der Aktionstag in Celje/Slowenien

Am 23. Mai 2012 fand der Europeana 1914-1918 Aktionstag in der Stadtbibliothek von Celje, Slowenien statt. Ein Gegenstand tauchte auf, der sowohl an die Kriegsversehrten des Ersten Weltkrieges als auch an die Entschlossenheit diese Verletzungen der Soldaten an der Front zu behandeln und weiterzukämpfen erinnerte.

Dieser besondere Erinnerungsgegenstand war eine Beinprothese mit zwei unterschiedlichen Fußprothesen von Jakob Veber. Der Überbringer war Stanislav Veber, ein Familienmitglied. Das Bein und seine zwei Füße befinden sich in sehr gutem Zustand und bestehen aus Holz, Leder und Eisennieten. Für offizielle Anlässe benutzte Jakob den besten Fuß (d.h. vollständigen Fuß). Für zu Hause und für die Feldarbeit verwendete er den einfachen Fußstumpf.

Stanislav erzählte auch die Familiengeschichte, die hinter der Prothese steckt:

Jakob Veber, geboren am 20. Januar 1888, wuchs, gemeinsam mit seinen zwei Brüdern, auf einem Bauernhof in Glidja in der Nähe von Žalec auf. Die drei jungen Männer wurden während dem Ersten Weltkrieg in die Armee eingezogen. Jakob musste an der Ostfront in Russland kämpfen. 1917, im Alter von 29 Jahren, verlor er auf dem Schlachtfeld sein rechtes Bein. Trotz der schweren Verletzung blieb Jakob bis zum Ende des Krieges an der Front. Dies wurde ermöglicht durch eine Beinprothese und zwei künstliche Füße. Nach dem Krieg kehrte Jakob nach Hause zurück.

Dies traf tragischerweise nicht auf seinen Bruder, Janez, zu, der im Krieg gefallen ist. Er hinterließ seine Frau, Maria Veber, und die drei gemeinsamen Kinder Franca, Angelo und Jožefo. Jakob, der verletze Kriegsveteran, übernahm die Sorge um seine Schwägerin und ihre Familie.

Jahre später heirateten Jakob und Maria und bekamen zwei weitere Buben, Vincent und Adolf. Von da an wurde die Familie von wechselndem Glück begleitet. Maria starb 1936 mit 47 Jahren. Als erneut Krieg ausbrach wurden die beiden jüngeren Söhne, wie ihr Vater und ihre Onkel zuvor, zur Armee einberufen. Beide kämpften während des ganzen Zweiten Weltkrieges und überlebten glücklicherweise. Ihr Vater Jakob starb am 15. März 1949 im Alter von 61 Jahren.

Jakobs Prothese ist die erste Beinprothese, die bisher im Projekt beschrieben wurde. Fotos von deutschem Soldaten, Herman Peschel, mit seinen Armprothesen finden sichhier.

Klicken Sie hier für weitere Bilder

2012-07-27

Un grand pas en avant pour la journée d’action en Celje, Slovénie

Sreča v nesreči na dnevih zbiranja spominov v Sloveniji

Le 23 Mai 2012, la journée d’action Europeana 1914-1918 à la Bibliothèque de Celje fut le lieu de mémoire des méfaits de la Grande Guerre et de la détermination des soldats de lutter contre cette ignominie.

Stanislav Veber apporta une prothèse de jambe avec deux embouts différents pour pieds appartenant à Jakob Veber. La jambe artificielle et ses deux pieds en bois, cuir et rivets en fer fut très bien conservée. Jakob utilisa son « bon » pied pour des sorties plus formelles et le pied moins sophistiqué pour la vie de tous les jours.

Stanislav Veber partagea également son histoire de famille:

Jakob Veber fut né le 20 Janvier 1888 et grandit sur une ferme à Galicija près de Žalec avec ses deux frères. Les trois adolescents partirent à la guerre avec l’armée Slovène et Jakob combattit sur le Front Est en Russie. Il perdit sa jambe droite au champ de bataille en 1927, à l’âge de 29 ans. Malgré cet accident, Jakob resta sur le front et ne rentra qu’à la fin de la guerre.

Malheureusement, son frère, Janez, n’a pas eu autant de « chance » et fut tué sur le front. Son épouse et ses trois enfants demeurèrent sans époux ni père. Toutefois, Jakob pris soins d’eux.

Ce n’est que des années plus tard que Jakob et sa belle-sœur se marièrent et eurent des deux enfants, Vincent et Adolf. Commença une vie mouvementée : Maria mourut en 1936 à l’âge de 47 ans et la Seconde Guerre mondiale obligea les enfants d’entrer dans l’armée. Tous les deux survécurent.Leur père, Jakob, mourût à l’âge de 61 ans, le 15 mars 1949.

La prothèse de Jakob est le premier exemple de prothèse qu’Europeana 1914-1918 a collecté jusqu’à maintenant. Vous pouvez consulter les photos du soldat allemand, Hermann Peschel avec ses prothèses de bras ici.

Cliquez ici pour voir d’autres photos

2012-07-26

Sreča v nesreči na dnevih zbiranja spominov v Sloveniji

Sreča v nesreči na dnevih zbiranja spominov v Sloveniji

23 maja 2012 nas je predmet, ki ga je prinesel eden od obiskovalcev, spomnil na poškodbe, ki jih je povzročila prva svetovna vojna in odločnost s katero so se jim zoperstavili na fronti.

A Nožni protezi v dveh različicah, ki sta pripadali Jakobu Vebru, je prinesel sorodnik Stanislav Veber. Nogi, izdelani iz lesa, usnja in železnih zakovic, sta zelo dobro ohranjeni. Jakob je boljšo od obeh protez uporabljal za slovesne priložnosti, bolj preprosto pa za delo na polju in doma.

Povedal je tudi tole zgodbo:

Jakob Veber se je rodil 20.januarja 1888 na kmetiji v Galiciji blizu Žalca. Imel je dva brata. Vsi trije so bili med prvo svetovno vojno rekrutirani v avstroogrsko vojsko in Jakob je odšel na vzhodno fronto v Rusijo. Leta 1917, ko je bil star 29 let, je na bojišču izgubil desno nogo. Kljub hudi poškodbi je ostal na fronti do konca vojne, saj so mu kar tam izdelali dve nožni protezi. Po vojni se je vrnil domov. Na žalost njegov brat Janez ni preživel vojne. Za njim so ostali doma žena Marija Veber in njuni trije otroci – Franc, Angela in Jožef. Jakob, vojni veteran, je začel skrbeti za bratovo družino.

Čez leta sta se Jakob in Marija poročila in imela še dva svoja otroka, Vincenca in Adolfa. Marija je umrla leta 1936, stara 47 let. Ko se je začela druga svetovna vojna, sta bila rekrutirana oba sinova, ki sta srečno preživela vojno. Njun oče Jakob je umrl 15.marca 1949, star 61 let.

Jakobovi protezi sta med vsemi zbranimi predmeti na dnevih zbiranja prvi primer nožnih protez. Lahko pa si ogledate fotografije (nemškega vojaka Hermana Peschela z ročno protezo..

Kliknite tukaj in si oglejte več slik

2012-04-04


Nachdem das Projekt mit großem Erfolg im Jahr 2011 in Deutschland angelaufen ist wird es 2012 auf mindestens fünf europäische Länder ausgeweitet.

Kommen Sie zu unseren neuen Aktionstagen:




Slowenien
Mittwoch, 23 Mai 2012
Celje Public Library / Osrednja knjižnica Celje
Celje




Father sends his daughter toys from the trenches

There is no doubt that while soldier Charles Grauss was garrisoned with his regiment in France, the one person never far from his thoughts was his daughter, Gishlaine.

During this time as second lieutenant with the 339th and the 286th infantry regiments, he carved and painted a number of miniature farm animals for his little girl to play with.

The set contained in a metal box, included; a pig, donkey, rabbit, dog, mouse, sheep, duck and hen. Grauss also sent Ghislaine a touching letter with comic illustrations of them both; the beautiful house he wanted to give her mother, and kisses for the child he loved so dearly.

Grauss was killed in battle on April 29, 1918, aged 37.

The items, which were accompanied by a sketchbook with drafts, water colors and pictures of fellow soldiers from the different areas of France where he was stationed, were contributed by the Memorial de Verdun, a French museum dedicated to the 1914-1918 war.



By Jackie Storer . 
View  More Stories >>

After the success of our World War One family history roadshows in Germany last year, we are now gearing up and visiting more European countries in 2012. Dublin in Ireland and Banbury in the UK are lining up.

In the mean time, come and join us at:


Slovenia
Wednesday, 23 May 2012
Celje Public Library / Osrednja knjižnica Celje
Celje


Click here to visit our virtual exhibiton!








Father sends his daughter toys from the trenches

There is no doubt that while soldier Charles Grauss was garrisoned with his regiment in France, the one person never far from his thoughts was his daughter, Gishlaine.

During this time as second lieutenant with the 339th and the 286th infantry regiments, he carved and painted a number of miniature farm animals for his little girl to play with.

The set contained in a metal box, included; a pig, donkey, rabbit, dog, mouse, sheep, duck and hen. Grauss also sent Ghislaine a touching letter with comic illustrations of them both; the beautiful house he wanted to give her mother, and kisses for the child he loved so dearly.

Grauss was killed in battle on April 29, 1918, aged 37.

The items, which were accompanied by a sketchbook with drafts, water colors and pictures of fellow soldiers from the different areas of France where he was stationed, were contributed by the Memorial de Verdun, a French museum dedicated to the 1914-1918 war.



By Jackie Storer . 
View  More Stories >>

2012-03-31

Brave Ace observer is awarded Military Cross


Nachdem das Projekt mit großem Erfolg im Jahr 2011 in Deutschland angelaufen ist wird es 2012 auf mindestens fünf europäische Länder ausgeweitet.

Kommen Sie zu unseren neuen Aktionstagen:


Dänemark
Dienstag, 24. April
Schloss Sonderburg


Slowenien
Dienstag, 19 April 2012,
Military Museum of the Slovenian Armed Forces /Vojaški muzej
Maribor

Mittwoch, 23 Mai 2012
Celje Public Library / Osrednja knjižnica Celje
Celje




Brave Ace observer is awarded Military Cross

Balancing precariously in an open cockpit at 10,000 feet with nothing but a gun to hold on to, flying ace Giles Blennerhassett managed to shoot down eight enemy Albatros D. II fighter planes in just three months.

The courageous 22-year-old 2nd lieutenant was awarded the Military Cross for his skill as an F.E.2b aircraft observer, which involved firing a .303 Lewis machine gun on a swivel mount, from an exposed platform at the front of the plane. On one occasion he attacked two hostile aircraft, forcing both to lose control.

Giles’ son-in-law Denis O’Neill, 78, from Dublin, said: “He would've been standing on a metal floor, no doubt sliding around in his hob nail boots. Sometimes he would’ve been required to stand on his seat in order to fire the weapon.

“The plane was manoeuvring over the battle field up to its maximum altitude of 11,000 feet. He would’ve been thrown all over the place in ‘dog fights’ with other planes. There were no safety belts or parachutes - how he didn’t fall out defies imagination. He was a very brave man.”
Giles, from Sligo, was 20-years-old in March, 1916, when he was seconded from the 4th Irish Rifles, where he had fought in the trenches in France, to become an observer with the Royal Flying Corps, later the RAF. He became a pilot in 1917.

The F.E.2b was a two-seater aircraft with the observer sitting in the nose of the plane and the pilot sitting above and behind him. The propeller was behind the pilot, enabling the observer to fire forwards and backwards, over the wing.

Giles’ son Brian, 93, who contributed his log book and a series of photos of him in uniform, said: “My father used to mock the F.E.2b pilots and call them ‘taxi drivers’ as the position of the observer at the front of the plane was extremely exposed and he felt he was taking all the risks.”


By Jackie Storer . 
View  More Stories >>

2012-03-30

Brave Ace observer is awarded Military Cross

After the success of our World War One family history roadshows in Germany last year, we're now set to visit at least five more countries in 2012.

Come and join us at:



Denmark
Tuesday, 24 April 1000 - 1800
Sønderborg Castle
Sønderbro 1
6400 Sønderborg
Denmark
Tel: +45 3373 3396
mch@kulturstyrelsen.dk



Slovenia
Tuesday, 19 April 2012,
Military Museum of the Slovenian Armed Forces /Vojaški muzej
Maribor

Wednesday, 23 May 2012
Celje Public Library / Osrednja knjižnica Celje
Celje

Denmark
Tuesday, 24 April 1000 - 1800
Sønderborg Castle
Sønderbro 1
6400 Sønderborg
Denmark
Tel: +45 3373 3396
mch@kulturstyrelsen.dk



Brave Ace observer is awarded Military Cross

Balancing precariously in an open cockpit at 10,000 feet with nothing but a gun to hold on to, flying ace Giles Blennerhassett managed to shoot down eight enemy Albatros D. II fighter planes in just three months.

The courageous 22-year-old 2nd lieutenant was awarded the Military Cross for his skill as an F.E.2b aircraft observer, which involved firing a .303 Lewis machine gun on a swivel mount, from an exposed platform at the front of the plane. On one occasion he attacked two hostile aircraft, forcing both to lose control.

Giles’ son-in-law Denis O’Neill, 78, from Dublin, said: “He would've been standing on a metal floor, no doubt sliding around in his hob nail boots. Sometimes he would’ve been required to stand on his seat in order to fire the weapon.

“The plane was manoeuvring over the battle field up to its maximum altitude of 11,000 feet. He would’ve been thrown all over the place in ‘dog fights’ with other planes. There were no safety belts or parachutes - how he didn’t fall out defies imagination. He was a very brave man.”
Giles, from Sligo, was 20-years-old in March, 1916, when he was seconded from the 4th Irish Rifles, where he had fought in the trenches in France, to become an observer with the Royal Flying Corps, later the RAF. He became a pilot in 1917.

The F.E.2b was a two-seater aircraft with the observer sitting in the nose of the plane and the pilot sitting above and behind him. The propeller was behind the pilot, enabling the observer to fire forwards and backwards, over the wing.

Giles’ son Brian, 93, who contributed his log book and a series of photos of him in uniform, said: “My father used to mock the F.E.2b pilots and call them ‘taxi drivers’ as the position of the observer at the front of the plane was extremely exposed and he felt he was taking all the risks.”



By Jackie Storer . 
View  More Stories >>

2012-03-22

Irish turn out in the force to create best WW1 roadshow ever

After the success of our World War One family history roadshows in Germany last year, we're now set to visit at least five more countries in 2012.

Come and join us at:

France Bevk Public Library 28 March
Sønderborg Castle 24 April

Slovenia
Wednesday, 28 March
France Bevk Public Library
Nova Gorica

Tuesday, 19 April 2012,
Military Museum of the Slovenian Armed Forces /Vojaški muzej
Maribor

Wednesday, 23 May 2012
Celje Public Library / Osrednja knjižnica Celje
Celje

Denmark
Tuesday, 24 April 1000 - 1800
Sønderborg Castle
Sønderbro 1
6400 Sønderborg
Denmark
Tel: +45 3373 3396
mch@kulturstyrelsen.dk
Irish turn out in the force to create best WW1 roadshow ever

More than 600 people from across Ireland travelled to Dublin’s WW1 Family History roadshow eager to finally be allowed to tell the story of their loved one’s involvement in the 1914-18 conflict.

For almost a century families have declined to talk about relatives who fought in the British Army because of the anti-English feeling generated by the founding of the Irish state.

But during the day-long roadshow at the National Library of Ireland, they came with pride, bringing along thousands of items, including early German war helmets, bayonets, war records, cap badges, medals for bravery and trench art to be shared on the Europeana 1914-1918 virtual archive.

Queues started forming an hour before doors opened, and by midday, the library’s large entrance hall was a mass of people, chatting, waiting and joining in sing songs with a WW1 re-enactor giving a rousing rendition of “It’s a long way to Tipperary”.

Katherine McSharry, the library’s head of services, said many of the 300 contributors and their families had set off at dawn to attend the roadshow, with some coming from as far afield as Enniskillen, Limerick and Wexford to share their memories.

“It’s been a wonderful day - and we’re proud to say it’s attracted three times the number of contributors that attended previous events in the UK, Luxembourg and Germany.

“We knew there was a lot of interest from the amount of press coverage we’d had before the event - but we could not have anticipated the crowds of people that arrived,” she said.

“We had 35 library staff working on this, along with colleagues from Oxford University, Europeana and subject experts - it‘s been an enormous effort. People didn’t seem to mind the wait at peak times, and I saw many actually sharing their memorabilia with others in the queue.”

Everett Sharp, a military historian from Oxford University, which leads the digitising and cataloguing part of the project, said: “The Irish people have been very keen to tell us about their family history - something they haven’t been able to talk about until recently.

“Many of them had relations in British Army, but after the war - because of the Troubles - they weren’t able to discuss it with their friends and neighbours. It was a hidden history and remained so until today.”

Les Newman, who with colleagues from the Irish Great War Society dressed as WW1 soldiers, said: “Today has been so important to people because it has opened the windows and shed light on a period of history most were almost forbidden - or were ostracised - from mentioning.

“I believe today was too short and we’d love to have many more events like these.”

The roadshow, which has already received widespread media coverage, attracted even more reporters from the BBC, RTE, radio and broadsheet newspapers who were keen to talk to the contributors.

Jon Purday, senior communications advisor at Europeana, said: “This has been the most amazing event - with the biggest turn out we’ve ever experienced at a roadshow.

“We are so grateful to everyone who turned up, even though for many it has involved a wait of some hours before they were seen.”



By Jackie Storer . 
View  More Stories >>

Irish turn out in the force to create best WW1 roadshow ever


Nachdem das Projekt mit großem Erfolg im Jahr 2011 in Deutschland angelaufen ist wird es 2012 auf mindestens fünf europäische Länder ausgeweitet.

Kommen Sie zu unseren neuen Aktionstagen:

Slowenien, Nova Gorica, France Bevk Bibliothek, 28. March 2012
Dänemark, Schloss Sonderburg, 24. April 2012

Slowenien
Mittwoch, 28. März
France Bevk Public Library
Nova Gorica

Dienstag, 19 April 2012,
Military Museum of the Slovenian Armed Forces /Vojaški muzej
Maribor

Mittwoch, 23 Mai 2012
Celje Public Library / Osrednja knjižnica Celje
Celje

Dänemark
Dienstag, 24. April
Schloss Sonderburg
Irish turn out in the force to create best WW1 roadshow ever

More than 600 people from across Ireland travelled to Dublin’s WW1 Family History roadshow eager to finally be allowed to tell the story of their loved one’s involvement in the 1914-18 conflict.

For almost a century families have declined to talk about relatives who fought in the British Army because of the anti-English feeling generated by the founding of the Irish state.

But during the day-long roadshow at the National Library of Ireland, they came with pride, bringing along thousands of items, including early German war helmets, bayonets, war records, cap badges, medals for bravery and trench art to be shared on the Europeana 1914-1918 virtual archive.

Queues started forming an hour before doors opened, and by midday, the library’s large entrance hall was a mass of people, chatting, waiting and joining in sing songs with a WW1 re-enactor giving a rousing rendition of “It’s a long way to Tipperary”.

Katherine McSharry, the library’s head of services, said many of the 300 contributors and their families had set off at dawn to attend the roadshow, with some coming from as far afield as Enniskillen, Limerick and Wexford to share their memories.

“It’s been a wonderful day - and we’re proud to say it’s attracted three times the number of contributors that attended previous events in the UK, Luxembourg and Germany.

“We knew there was a lot of interest from the amount of press coverage we’d had before the event - but we could not have anticipated the crowds of people that arrived,” she said.

“We had 35 library staff working on this, along with colleagues from Oxford University, Europeana and subject experts - it‘s been an enormous effort. People didn’t seem to mind the wait at peak times, and I saw many actually sharing their memorabilia with others in the queue.”

Everett Sharp, a military historian from Oxford University, which leads the digitising and cataloguing part of the project, said: “The Irish people have been very keen to tell us about their family history - something they haven’t been able to talk about until recently.

“Many of them had relations in British Army, but after the war - because of the Troubles - they weren’t able to discuss it with their friends and neighbours. It was a hidden history and remained so until today.”

Les Newman, who with colleagues from the Irish Great War Society dressed as WW1 soldiers, said: “Today has been so important to people because it has opened the windows and shed light on a period of history most were almost forbidden - or were ostracised - from mentioning.

“I believe today was too short and we’d love to have many more events like these.”

The roadshow, which has already received widespread media coverage, attracted even more reporters from the BBC, RTE, radio and broadsheet newspapers who were keen to talk to the contributors.

Jon Purday, senior communications advisor at Europeana, said: “This has been the most amazing event - with the biggest turn out we’ve ever experienced at a roadshow.

“We are so grateful to everyone who turned up, even though for many it has involved a wait of some hours before they were seen.”



By Jackie Storer . 
View  More Stories >>

Family hopes to uncover mystery of soldier’s war years


Nachdem das Projekt mit großem Erfolg im Jahr 2011 in Deutschland angelaufen ist wird es 2012 auf mindestens fünf europäische Länder ausgeweitet.

Kommen Sie zu unseren neuen Aktionstagen:

Slowenien, Nova Gorica, France Bevk Bibliothek, 28. March 2012
Dänemark, Schloss Sonderburg, 24. April 2012

Slowenien
Mittwoch, 28. März
France Bevk Public Library
Nova Gorica

Dienstag, 19 April 2012,
Military Museum of the Slovenian Armed Forces /Vojaški muzej
Maribor

Mittwoch, 23 Mai 2012
Celje Public Library / Osrednja knjižnica Celje
Celje

Dänemark
Dienstag, 24. April
Schloss Sonderburg


Family hopes to uncover mystery of soldier’s war years

Padraig McGinn and his wife Angela travelled over 100 miles from southern Ireland to the Dublin roadshow to tell the story of his father’s involvement in WW1.

His dad, Patrick McGinn, was a 16-year-old shop boy when he and his mate took half a day off work to sign up with the British Army.

The lads joined the 1st Battalion Connaught Rangers in Castlebar on October 12, 1910. Patrick ended up serving in India until war broke out in 1914.

“We don’t know much more than that. He fought in the trenches and was wounded, but we don’t know when,” said Padraig, of Carrick on Shannon in County Leitrim.

“His brother told me he was gassed , but my father never talked about his war experiences - all I remember is that he was very strict. He died in 1957, but  I’d love to know more about him, which is why we are here.”

Padraig brought in his father’s discharge certificate, dated December 16, 1919; a brass matchbox cover, possibly made from a shell case, and his WW1 medals, which included the Mons Star.




By Jackie Storer . 
View  More Stories >>

Family hopes to uncover mystery of soldier’s war years

After the success of our World War One family history roadshows in Germany last year, we're now set to visit at least five more countries in 2012.

Come and join us at:

National Library of Ireland 21 March
France Bevk Public Library 28 March
Sønderborg Castle 24 April

Ireland
Wednesday, 21 March 1000 - 1900
National Library of Ireland
Kildare Street
Dublin 2
Tel: +353 1 603 02 00

Slovenia
Wednesday, 28 March
France Bevk Public Library
Nova Gorica

Tuesday, 19 April 2012,
Military Museum of the Slovenian Armed Forces /Vojaški muzej
Maribor

Wednesday, 23 May 2012
Celje Public Library / Osrednja knjižnica Celje
Celje

Denmark
Tuesday, 24 April 1000 - 1800
Sønderborg Castle
Sønderbro 1
6400 Sønderborg
Denmark
Tel: +45 3373 3396
mch@kulturstyrelsen.dk


Family hopes to uncover mystery of soldier’s war years

Padraig McGinn and his wife Angela travelled over 100 miles from southern Ireland to the Dublin roadshow to tell the story of his father’s involvement in WW1.

His dad, Patrick McGinn, was a 16-year-old shop boy when he and his mate took half a day off work to sign up with the British Army.

The lads joined the 1st Battalion Connaught Rangers in Castlebar on October 12, 1910. Patrick ended up serving in India until war broke out in 1914.

“We don’t know much more than that. He fought in the trenches and was wounded, but we don’t know when,” said Padraig, of Carrick on Shannon in County Leitrim.

“His brother told me he was gassed , but my father never talked about his war experiences - all I remember is that he was very strict. He died in 1957, but  I’d love to know more about him, which is why we are here.”

Padraig brought in his father’s discharge certificate, dated December 16, 1919; a brass matchbox cover, possibly made from a shell case, and his WW1 medals, which included the Mons Star.

Click here to read more news about the Europeana 1914-1918 project and include your own stories!



By Jackie Storer . 
View  More Stories >>

‘Soldier’s life was saved by crucifix and enemy’s act of humanity’

After the success of our World War One family history roadshows in Germany last year, we're now set to visit at least five more countries in 2012.

Come and join us at:

National Library of Ireland 21 March
France Bevk Public Library 28 March
Sønderborg Castle 24 April

Ireland
Wednesday, 21 March 1000 - 1900
National Library of Ireland
Kildare Street
Dublin 2
Tel: +353 1 603 02 00

Slovenia
Wednesday, 28 March
France Bevk Public Library
Nova Gorica

Tuesday, 19 April 2012,
Military Museum of the Slovenian Armed Forces /Vojaški muzej
Maribor

Wednesday, 23 May 2012
Celje Public Library / Osrednja knjižnica Celje
Celje

Denmark
Tuesday, 24 April 1000 - 1800
Sønderborg Castle
Sønderbro 1
6400 Sønderborg
Denmark
Tel: +45 3373 3396
mch@kulturstyrelsen.dk


‘Soldier’s life was saved by crucifix and enemy’s act of humanity’

James Burke always maintained that he owed his life to two things - the metal crucifix he carried in his lapel pocket and a German officer who rescued him from being killed.

The 22-year-old private in the Royal Irish Fusiliers was fighting in St Quentin, Northern France, during the last big enemy offensive on March 21, 1918, when he was shot in the chest by a German sniper.

The bullet ricocheted off a three-inch long cross he always carried in his tunic, causing a penetrating wound just above his heart. But as he lay there, Private Burke faced further danger.

“He was isolated and a German soldier was just going along killing the wounded,” said Don Mullan, a freelance journalist and author who brought in Private Burke’s dented crucifix to the Dublin roadshow. “If the bullet hadn’t hit the cross, it almost certainly would’ve gone through James’ heart.

“Luckily a young German officer saw what the soldier was doing, intervened and carried him to a field hospital where his life was saved. James always maintained that he owed his life to his cross and that German officer who showed him a moment of humanity.”

Don was left Private Burke‘s artefacts by his son Gary - the Godfather of Don‘s wife Margaret.

“Gary was very keen to pass on his father’s WW1 memorabilia to someone who would look after it - so it came to me,” said Don, from Dublin.

“Two months before he died in March 2003, I took Gary to the British memorial at St Quentin where his father was wounded.

“Gary said when he was a boy in the 1920s and 1930s he was always fascinated by his father’s amazing story. And he would tell me how after his father took a bath he would see the wound and try to link his fingers either side of it.”

As well as the dented crucifix, Don brought in Private Burke’s British War and Victory medals, plus a German lapel badge and miniature iron cross.

He also had a card sent to James’ mother in June, 1918, informing her that he had been taken prisoner of war in Stendal, Germany. He was later released in January, 1919.

James went on to become a chief usher at the Deluxe Cinema in Camden Street, Dublin. Following his war experience, he became devoted to the Catholic Saint Therese of Lisieux - known as the angel of the trenches - and met and married a girl he met in a city shop, called Teresa.

“I think it’s very important that the story and the history of James Burke is recorded,” said Don. “But also, I was blessed to have met his son and daughter, Ethne, who died recently, aged 83, with the cross in her hand.

“At her funeral service we gave thanks for the unknown German soldier who saved her father’s life because if he hadn’t done that, then Gary and Then wouldn’t have been born.”

Don said James Burke’s story - and especially the moment of humanity shown by the German officer - has inspired him to start the Christmas Truce Project, which commemorates the famous football match between German and British soldiers Messines in Flanders on Christmas Day 1914.

The project, which recalls how as the guns fell silent, British soldiers heard the sounds of Christmas carols rising from the German lines, has already started an international Christmas Truce Carol and Folk Festival in Flanders.

And there are plans to create a peace field on the site, where young people can gather and play sport.



By Jackie Storer


‘Soldier’s life was saved by crucifix and enemy’s act of humanity’


Nachdem das Projekt mit großem Erfolg im Jahr 2011 in Deutschland angelaufen ist wird es 2012 auf mindestens fünf europäische Länder ausgeweitet.

Kommen Sie zu unseren neuen Aktionstagen:

Slowenien, Nova Gorica, France Bevk Bibliothek, 28. March 2012
Dänemark, Schloss Sonderburg, 24. April 2012

Slowenien
Mittwoch, 28. März
France Bevk Public Library
Nova Gorica

Dienstag, 19 April 2012,
Military Museum of the Slovenian Armed Forces /Vojaški muzej
Maribor

Mittwoch, 23 Mai 2012
Celje Public Library / Osrednja knjižnica Celje
Celje

Dänemark
Dienstag, 24. April
Schloss Sonderburg


‘Soldier’s life was saved by crucifix and enemy’s act of humanity’

James Burke always maintained that he owed his life to two things - the metal crucifix he carried in his lapel pocket and a German officer who rescued him from being killed.

The 22-year-old private in the Royal Irish Fusiliers was fighting in St Quentin, Northern France, during the last big enemy offensive on March 21, 1918, when he was shot in the chest by a German sniper.

The bullet ricocheted off a three-inch long cross he always carried in his tunic, causing a penetrating wound just above his heart. But as he lay there, Private Burke faced further danger.

“He was isolated and a German soldier was just going along killing the wounded,” said Don Mullan, a freelance journalist and author who brought in Private Burke’s dented crucifix to the Dublin roadshow. “If the bullet hadn’t hit the cross, it almost certainly would’ve gone through James’ heart.

“Luckily a young German officer saw what the soldier was doing, intervened and carried him to a field hospital where his life was saved. James always maintained that he owed his life to his cross and that German officer who showed him a moment of humanity.”

Don was left Private Burke‘s artefacts by his son Gary - the Godfather of Don‘s wife Margaret.

“Gary was very keen to pass on his father’s WW1 memorabilia to someone who would look after it - so it came to me,” said Don, from Dublin.

“Two months before he died in March 2003, I took Gary to the British memorial at St Quentin where his father was wounded.

“Gary said when he was a boy in the 1920s and 1930s he was always fascinated by his father’s amazing story. And he would tell me how after his father took a bath he would see the wound and try to link his fingers either side of it.”

As well as the dented crucifix, Don brought in Private Burke’s British War and Victory medals, plus a German lapel badge and miniature iron cross.

He also had a card sent to James’ mother in June, 1918, informing her that he had been taken prisoner of war in Stendal, Germany. He was later released in January, 1919.

James went on to become a chief usher at the Deluxe Cinema in Camden Street, Dublin. Following his war experience, he became devoted to the Catholic Saint Therese of Lisieux - known as the angel of the trenches - and met and married a girl he met in a city shop, called Teresa.

“I think it’s very important that the story and the history of James Burke is recorded,” said Don. “But also, I was blessed to have met his son and daughter, Ethne, who died recently, aged 83, with the cross in her hand.

“At her funeral service we gave thanks for the unknown German soldier who saved her father’s life because if he hadn’t done that, then Gary and Then wouldn’t have been born.”

Don said James Burke’s story - and especially the moment of humanity shown by the German officer - has inspired him to start the Christmas Truce Project, which commemorates the famous football match between German and British soldiers Messines in Flanders on Christmas Day 1914.

The project, which recalls how as the guns fell silent, British soldiers heard the sounds of Christmas carols rising from the German lines, has already started an international Christmas Truce Carol and Folk Festival in Flanders.

And there are plans to create a peace field on the site, where young people can gather and play sport.



By Jackie Storer


2012-03-21

Concerned soldier says ‘sorry’ to boss from the trenches

After the success of our World War One family history roadshows in Germany last year, we're now set to visit at least five more countries in 2012.

Come and join us at:

National Library of Ireland 21 March
France Bevk Public Library 28 March
Sønderborg Castle 24 April

Ireland
Wednesday, 21 March 1000 - 1900
National Library of Ireland
Kildare Street
Dublin 2
Tel: +353 1 603 02 00

Slovenia
Wednesday, 28 March
France Bevk Public Library
Nova Gorica

Tuesday, 19 April 2012,
Military Museum of the Slovenian Armed Forces /Vojaški muzej
Maribor

Wednesday, 23 May 2012
Celje Public Library / Osrednja knjižnica Celje
Celje

Denmark
Tuesday, 24 April 1000 - 1800
Sønderborg Castle
Sønderbro 1
6400 Sønderborg
Denmark
Tel: +45 3373 3396
mch@kulturstyrelsen.dk

Concerned soldier says ‘sorry’ to boss from the trenches

Laurence Dunne was so worried that his boss would think badly of him for leaving his job as a machinist to go to war - he sent him a letter of apology from the front line.

But, scared the missive would fall into enemy hands, he told the manager at Boltons, a building firm in Dublin, that he could not reveal exactly where he was.

Carmel O’Brien, 85, brought her uncle’s pencil-written letter in to the National Library of Ireland, Dublin, because she wanted it to be saved on the www.europeana1914-1918.eu website.

Accompanied by her daughter, Adrienne O’Connell, 51, Mrs O’Brien said she hoped having the note digitised would provide her with answers about her uncle’s short life.

“I found this letter in a box with some photos after my brother died - it was the first time I‘d ever seen it,” said Mrs O’Brien, of Dublin.

“It says: ‘You must excuse me for taking the liberty of writing this letter…’ He couldn’t see his boss because he’d been sick when he’d gone to war. He writes the letter from the trenches in France, and says: ‘I can’t tell you exactly where I am because it might fall into enemy hands’.”

Laurence Dunne was a private in the No. 12 platoon B company, Dublin, and part of the British Expeditionary Force.

Unfortunately, he died in 1935 aged only 39-years-old in the Grange Gorman mental institution in Dublin, following the death of his bride six weeks after they married, and the death of his mother.

Adrienne said: “I think my great-uncle was totally shell-shocked by the war, and then to have so much tragedy must have just finished him off.

“I’m working on my mother’s side of the family tree, so I’d love to find out more about Laurence.”


By Jackie Storer 


Concerned soldier says ‘sorry’ to boss from the trenches


Nachdem das Projekt mit großem Erfolg im Jahr 2011 in Deutschland angelaufen ist wird es 2012 auf mindestens fünf europäische Länder ausgeweitet.

Kommen Sie zu unseren neuen Aktionstagen:

Slowenien, Nova Gorica, France Bevk Bibliothek, 28. March 2012
Dänemark, Schloss Sonderburg, 24. April 2012

Slowenien
Mittwoch, 28. März
France Bevk Public Library
Nova Gorica

Dienstag, 19 April 2012,
Military Museum of the Slovenian Armed Forces /Vojaški muzej
Maribor

Mittwoch, 23 Mai 2012
Celje Public Library / Osrednja knjižnica Celje
Celje

Dänemark
Dienstag, 24. April
Schloss Sonderburg

Concerned soldier says ‘sorry’ to boss from the trenches

Laurence Dunne was so worried that his boss would think badly of him for leaving his job as a machinist to go to war - he sent him a letter of apology from the front line.

But, scared the missive would fall into enemy hands, he told the manager at Boltons, a building firm in Dublin, that he could not reveal exactly where he was.

Carmel O’Brien, 85, brought her uncle’s pencil-written letter in to the National Library of Ireland, Dublin, because she wanted it to be saved on the www.europeana1914-1918.eu website.

Accompanied by her daughter, Adrienne O’Connell, 51, Mrs O’Brien said she hoped having the note digitised would provide her with answers about her uncle’s short life.

“I found this letter in a box with some photos after my brother died - it was the first time I‘d ever seen it,” said Mrs O’Brien, of Dublin.

“It says: ‘You must excuse me for taking the liberty of writing this letter…’ He couldn’t see his boss because he’d been sick when he’d gone to war. He writes the letter from the trenches in France, and says: ‘I can’t tell you exactly where I am because it might fall into enemy hands’.”

Laurence Dunne was a private in the No. 12 platoon B company, Dublin, and part of the British Expeditionary Force.

Unfortunately, he died in 1935 aged only 39-years-old in the Grange Gorman mental institution in Dublin, following the death of his bride six weeks after they married, and the death of his mother.

Adrienne said: “I think my great-uncle was totally shell-shocked by the war, and then to have so much tragedy must have just finished him off.

“I’m working on my mother’s side of the family tree, so I’d love to find out more about Laurence.”


By Jackie Storer 


Crowds make Dublin’s WW1 roadshow the biggest yet


Nachdem das Projekt mit großem Erfolg im Jahr 2011 in Deutschland angelaufen ist wird es 2012 auf mindestens fünf europäische Länder ausgeweitet.

Kommen Sie zu unseren neuen Aktionstagen:

Slowenien, Nova Gorica, France Bevk Bibliothek, 28. March 2012
Dänemark, Schloss Sonderburg, 24. April 2012

Slowenien
Mittwoch, 28. März
France Bevk Public Library
Nova Gorica

Dienstag, 19 April 2012,
Military Museum of the Slovenian Armed Forces /Vojaški muzej
Maribor

Mittwoch, 23 Mai 2012
Celje Public Library / Osrednja knjižnica Celje
Celje

Dänemark
Dienstag, 24. April
Schloss Sonderburg

Crowds make Dublin’s WW1 roadshow the biggest yet

Dublin’s WW1 Family History Roadshow has been declared the busiest event to date - with more than 100 contributors queuing with their memorabilia in the first hour of the event opening.

Many people set off at dawn, from as far afield as Enniskillen, Limerick and Wexford to share their loved ones’ memories from the 1914-1918 war at the National Library of Ireland.

Medals, war records, photos, cap badges and a kitbag were among the hoards of items arriving with grandchildren and great-grandchildren eager to keep those memories alive for future generations on www.europeana1914-1918.eu.

Katherine McSharry, the library’s head of services, said of the response: “It’s absolutely astonishing. We knew there was a lot of interest from the amount of press coverage we’d had before the event - but we could not have anticipated this number of people arriving.”

By 11.30am, the library’s main entrance hall was packed with crowds of chattering people carrying bags full of items and picture frames with regimental emblems.

Everett Sharp, a military historian from Oxford University, which leads the digitising and cataloguing part of the project, said: “The Irish people are very keen to tell us about their family history - something they haven’t been able to talk about until recently.

“Many of them had relations in British Army, but after the war - because of the Troubles - they weren’t able to discuss it with their friends and neighbours. It was a hidden history and remained so until today.”

The event, which has been given widespread coverage by the media, attracted even more reporters from the BBC, RTE, radio and broadsheet newspapers who were keen to talk to the contributors.

Jon Purday, senior communications advisor at Europeana, said: “This has been the most amazing event. People are so eager to share their family history and to have that acknowledgement of their involvement in WW1.

“We are so grateful to everyone who turned up, even though for many it has involved a wait of some hours before they were seen.”



By Jackie Storer 


A chance discovery unveils grandad’s WW1 past


Nachdem das Projekt mit großem Erfolg im Jahr 2011 in Deutschland angelaufen ist wird es 2012 auf mindestens fünf europäische Länder ausgeweitet.

Kommen Sie zu unseren neuen Aktionstagen:

Slowenien, Nova Gorica, France Bevk Bibliothek, 28. March 2012
Dänemark, Schloss Sonderburg, 24. April 2012

Slowenien
Mittwoch, 28. März
France Bevk Public Library
Nova Gorica

Dienstag, 19 April 2012,
Military Museum of the Slovenian Armed Forces /Vojaški muzej
Maribor

Mittwoch, 23 Mai 2012
Celje Public Library / Osrednja knjižnica Celje
Celje

Dänemark
Dienstag, 24. April
Schloss Sonderburg

A chance discovery unveils grandad’s WW1 past

An apprentice merchant seaman whose ship transported goods between the UK and Ireland found himself moving logistical supplies to Northern France during World War One.

Daniel Cantwell, from Waterford, was just 18 when the conflict started and his ship SS Batanga was requisitioned to support the war effort.

His grandson, John Cantwell, a telephone technician from Dublin, only discovered Daniel’s involvement in the 1914-1918 war when he uncovered a wooden box containing a British War Medal for his service.

“I was going through my parents’ things after my mother died when I found his medal, ribbons, photos and letters from the Admiralty,” said John, 53, who brought these items to the National Library of Ireland, Dublin, to be digitised.

“At the time there were lots of small steam ship companies working around Ireland bringing goods across the Irish Sea and that was his job. I suspect his boat was requisitioned by the Admiralty to support the war effort.

“All I have is the remnants, the memories of a time that he spent at war, but I don’t know what he did which is really sad. Everyone has a history and it’s an awful pity that that history isn’t passed on.

“It was an unfortunate time in Ireland with independence and the country trying to get rid of the shackles of being part of the Empire and people not being encouraged to talk about it.

“You hear a lot about the troops involved in the war, but I didn’t realise how important the merchant navy was in WW1; that there was a medal for them and they were recognised for their service. I hope that by bringing my objects in today I will find out more about my grandad.”

John has since discovered that his father’s ship operated between Africa and Liverpool after the war and even delivered an antelope for Liverpool Zoo. The ship was sold in 1934 and moved to Italy where he was decommissioned two years later.

By Jackie Storer 


Crowds make Dublin’s WW1 roadshow the biggest yet

After the success of our World War One family history roadshows in Germany last year, we're now set to visit at least five more countries in 2012.

Come and join us at:

National Library of Ireland 21 March
France Bevk Public Library 28 March
Sønderborg Castle 24 April

Ireland
Wednesday, 21 March 1000 - 1900
National Library of Ireland
Kildare Street
Dublin 2
Tel: +353 1 603 02 00

Slovenia
Wednesday, 28 March
France Bevk Public Library
Nova Gorica

Tuesday, 19 April 2012,
Military Museum of the Slovenian Armed Forces /Vojaški muzej
Maribor

Wednesday, 23 May 2012
Celje Public Library / Osrednja knjižnica Celje
Celje

Denmark
Tuesday, 24 April 1000 - 1800
Sønderborg Castle
Sønderbro 1
6400 Sønderborg
Denmark
Tel: +45 3373 3396
mch@kulturstyrelsen.dk


Crowds make Dublin’s WW1 roadshow the biggest yet

Dublin’s WW1 Family History Roadshow has been declared the busiest event to date - with more than 100 contributors queuing with their memorabilia in the first hour of the event opening.

Many people set off at dawn, from as far afield as Enniskillen, Limerick and Wexford to share their loved ones’ memories from the 1914-1918 war at the National Library of Ireland.

Medals, war records, photos, cap badges and a kitbag were among the hoards of items arriving with grandchildren and great-grandchildren eager to keep those memories alive for future generations on www.europeana1914-1918.eu.

Katherine McSharry, the library’s head of services, said of the response: “It’s absolutely astonishing. We knew there was a lot of interest from the amount of press coverage we’d had before the event - but we could not have anticipated this number of people arriving.”

By 11.30am, the library’s main entrance hall was packed with crowds of chattering people carrying bags full of items and picture frames with regimental emblems.

Everett Sharp, a military historian from Oxford University, which leads the digitising and cataloguing part of the project, said: “The Irish people are very keen to tell us about their family history - something they haven’t been able to talk about until recently.

“Many of them had relations in British Army, but after the war - because of the Troubles - they weren’t able to discuss it with their friends and neighbours. It was a hidden history and remained so until today.”

The event, which has been given widespread coverage by the media, attracted even more reporters from the BBC, RTE, radio and broadsheet newspapers who were keen to talk to the contributors.

Jon Purday, senior communications advisor at Europeana, said: “This has been the most amazing event. People are so eager to share their family history and to have that acknowledgement of their involvement in WW1.

“We are so grateful to everyone who turned up, even though for many it has involved a wait of some hours before they were seen.”



By Jackie Storer