Volunteers are exploring Reading University’s archives to unearth the history and connections of those who died in the Great War as part of the Reading Connections project.
Project officer Phillippa Heath said: “A key aim of this project is to encourage others with connections to these service men and women to come forward. There are some lives we know about, but others we know very little about such as H Turner. Despite a great deal of research we have not been able to find out who he was or what his connection to Reading University was. All we know was that he served in the Royal Navy as a submariner so perhaps a relative could help us?”
Many of the 146 service men and women featured in the project are also listed on the War Memorial at the university’s London Road campus, but researchers are hoping readers can help build a fuller picture of them.
Project volunteer Jeremy Jones said: “The project has been both interesting and thought-provoking. The ages of those who died range from
18 to 45, with the majority under 30.
“There were people who had barely set out on their adult lives and it’s impossible not to be moved by the thought of the youthful hopes and dreams that must have gone unfulfilled and of the impact on their families.”
The stories behind the faces in the university’s memorial book can be found online at www.flickr.com/photos/reading_connections/sets and anyone with more information about anyone listed can contribute via Flickr or by emailing p.heath2@reading.ac.uk
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