Event: Children of War in Birmingham

The Children at War in Birmingham Project by the Friends of Birmingham Archives & Heritage and funded by an HLF Understanding WW1 Then & Now grant, will focus on researching the experiences of children during the tumultuous years of the First World War.

Until recently very little focus has been given to the effects of WWI on children. But they would have been expected to contribute to the war effort in various ways including fund-raising and knitting socks & blankets for soldiers. And as many women undertook more work outside the home many children had to take care of younger siblings. Education suffered too as children were kept off school whilst their fathers were home on leave.

The project will look into these aspects together with issues around health, infant mortality, and the impact of the loss of many fathers.

This launch event for the project, held in partnership with the Voices of War and Peace: First World War Engagement Centre, will showcase some of the resources held within Birmingham Archives including school log books, children’s home records, WWI postcards, maternity and child health records, Belgian Refugee records, photographs and newspapers.

Come along to hear more about the project and how you can become involved as a volunteer.

Event information

Free event, no booking required

Monday 12 September, 5-6.45pm

Library of Birmingham, Wolfson Centre, Level 4, Centenary Square, Broad Street, B1 2ND

Part of Birmingham Heritage Week