Intruduction to the Christleton War Heroes

Preparing fro Christleton War Stories Book

Photograph: High School Student Laurence Hirst

Christleton Great War Voices from Planet X Media on Vimeo.

Christleton Great War Stories is an HLF funded community education project which is researching the villagers who fell in and survived The Great War in 1914-18.

Led by historian David Cummings the project team has already discovered a huge amount of new information and artefacts revealing some truly incredible stories about our fallen heroes, and how the community responded to the challenge of supporting the war effort.

If you want share your stories about your family's WWI heritage please email d.cummings@uwclub.net

Christleton Local History Group and partners from Christleton High School and the local Community has received a grant for £9,900 from the Heritage Lottery Fund for a community education project to explore the history and experiences of the men and women who died, and those who survived the First World War, from Christleton and the neighbouring townships of Littleton, Rowton, Cotton Abbotts and Cotton Edmunds.

The project team and volunteers intend to research the stories of soldiers, and the way the Parish Community supported their efforts, and produce a range of educational activities to commemorate the Great War 1914-18. The Community has gathered together each Remembrance Day at a Church Service and at the War Memorial to hear the names of the fallen, but very little is known about these individuals who selflessly sacrificed their lives during the Great War. We want to know who these people were, where they lived, and what part they played in village life before they went to fight. We also want to explore what they did in the war, and where they died and are commemorated, so villagers of today, especially our young people can respect their memory. We want to put faces to names where possible, and tell the stories of these brave forgotten people.

Our object is to inspire school children and the wider community, in researching the contribution local people made during the First World War. We hope to develop new skills, enhance interest in & foster understanding of the villages unique heritage during the war period for future generations to enjoy and cherish.

To mark the Centenary of the First World War we will collaborate with village organisations and individuals to collect photographs, personal accounts and letters to help build up a clear picture of what life was really like. With the help of professional writers, designers and film makers the new information will be incorporated into a Commemorative Book and Village Archive which will be made available on the Village Website www.christleton.org.uk Overall this comprehensive archive will allow the community and in particular the Primary & High Schools to share and learn more about their heritage during the First World War in an interactive way. The Group will also be working with, and supported by, The Cheshire Military Museum, Cheshire Archives and Local Studies & Chester Heritage Centre.

Project Team

Leader: David Cummings - Christleton Local History Group
Phil Hirst - Project Co-ordinator and Film Maker
Christleton High School History Department
Christleton High School Hot Scholars
Christleton Website - Richard Nicholson
Christleton Local History group Members

Christleton Great War Stories

Published December 2015

Our aim is to produce an archive and commemorative book about the Village of Christleton and the townships of Littleton, Rowton, Cotton Abbots and Cotton Edmunds during the period of the Great War 1914-18

In addition to telling the story of the men who died, we wish to celebrate the way the village was organised during the dark days of the war, highlighting the role of the women and the people left behind.

The project is supported by a large number of Village Organisations:
St James’ Church Christleton
Christleton Methodist Church
Christleton website
Christleton Parish Council
Christleton High School
Christleton High School Hot Scholars
In association with
The Chester Heritage Centre
Cheshire Archives & Local Studies
Cheshire Military Museum

In June 2014 the project was awarded a Heritage Lottery Grant of £9,900 towards the project working within the community to produce

An archive of material
1000 copies of a Commemorative Book
3 Short Films

The Project was launched with a photo call at the War Memorial.
Members of the Christleton Local History Group appeared with Staff and Hot Scholars from Christleton High School, together with project leader David Cummings and co-ordinator Phil Hirst.