The Great War Around Us

We begin Season 10 of The Old Front Line with a journey into The Great War Around Us: the First World War history that can still be found in the places where we live.

In this episode, we visit the East Sussex village of Wadhurst and explore how the impact of the Great War can still be discovered more than a century later. Starting at the village war memorial in the church, we uncover the stories behind the names carved in stone and examine what they reveal about the devastating losses suffered by this small community, particularly during the fighting of 9 May 1915 at the Battle of Aubers Ridge.

We then step into the parish churchyard to search for traces of the war, from Commonwealth war graves to moving family epitaphs that preserve personal memories of sacrifice and loss. Along the way, we discover how local history can open a window onto the wider story of the First World War.

This episode is also a call to action. Wherever you live, the history of the Great War is often closer than you think. War memorials, churchyards, memorial plaques and family stories can all help us understand how the conflict touched communities across Britain and beyond.

Join us as we explore the Great War around us and discover why local remembrance remains such a powerful way to connect with the history of that conflict more than a century ago.

Main Image: Wadhurst Church and Roy Fazan. (Old Front Line archives)

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Podcast Extras: Wadhurst