WW1 at Home

Starting on Monday 24th February, World War One at Home in the East Midlands begins broadcasting the first of 100 stories on BBC Radio Nottingham and at www.bbc.co.uk/ww1

World War One At Home, a UK-wide project, will broadcast over a thousand powerful stories throughout 2014 and 2015 – all linked to specific places across the country – in a way never told before.

This unique broadcasting event will uncover surprising stories about familiar neighbourhoods where the wounded were treated, crucial front line supplies were made, major scientific developments happened, prisoners of war were held and where heroes are buried.

To help unearth and bring these original wartime accounts to life, IWM (Imperial War Museums) is working together with the BBC in a partnership that will span the World War One Centenary. World War One At Home is also working with academics from universities across Britain who have been supported by the Arts and Humanities Research Council. Based in Swindon, the AHRC funds research in the arts and humanities and helps share the findings with the wider public.

In the East Midlands, BBC Radio Nottingham, BBC Radio Leicester and BBC Radio Derby will broadcast a World War One At Home story at 8.15am each weekday morning, and at various times throughout the day from Monday 24th February to Friday 28th February. More World War One At Home stories will be broadcast in April and through the rest of the year.

BBC East Midlands Today will also broadcast a World War One At Home story each weekday from 24 – 28 February at 6.30pm on BBC One.

BBC Radio Nottingham and BBC Inside Out East Midlands tell the story of Albert Ball, a World War One Flying Ace from Nottingham and the first pilot of the Royal Flying Corps to receive the Victoria Cross – awarded posthumously. Albert is credited with shooting down 43 German planes in only 15 months. He died on 7th May 1917, aged 20, reputedly shot down by Lothar von Richthofen, the brother of the infamous German Flying Ace, the Red Baron. However, new documentary evidence and expert opinion suggests it is more likely Ball’s death could well have been down to a combination of fatigue and mechanical failure. He was last seen coming upside down out of a cloud with no engine running. Albert Ball is also significant because he became one of the first to have his name and actions thrust into the media spotlight at a time when ‘celebrity’ was a new concept. A hero at home was needed and Albert became that hero…much to his own discomfort.

Stuart Thomas, Head of Regional & Local Programming for the East Midlands, said: “I’ve been fascinated to hear the incredible World War 1 stories that originate in the East Midlands – many that have never been told before. From stories about famous firms and the impact they had on the war – to individuals who did extraordinary things in our villages, towns and cities. Bringing these stories to life online, on radio and on television is very exciting, and I look forward to seeing all 100 from the East Midlands at http://www.bbc.co.uk/ww1 “

The 1400 stories from World War One at Home are being broadcast in phases; the second phase will begin in Spring 2014.

Listen to BBC Radio Nottingham on 103.8 & 95.5FM, DAB Digital Radio and online via the BBC iPlayer

Browse hundreds of stories online at www.bbc.co.uk/ww1 from 24 February. #WW1AtHome