A moving exhibition commemorating the lives of Norfolk people at home and abroad during the First World War is in the Long Gallery at the Norfolk Record Office until the end of this week.

Visitors to the free exhibition can find out through first hand accounts the effects of rationing, invasion fears and air raids – Norfolk was the first place in Britain to experience a fatal air attack.

Stories of the war’s impact on Norfolk people’s lives, both those serving on the various war fronts in the army and navy and also of those back at home, are told through photographs, letters, diaries and other documents held by the Norfolk Record Office.

And the exhibition looks at the roles of women in The Great War – those taking on jobs traditionally reserved for men such as engineering and working on the land, and others serving in the over sixty wartime hospitals in the county.

Frank Meeres, Project Archivist and exhibition curator, said: “This is very much a ‘people’s exhibition’ – most of the documents in it are donations made by Norfolk people proud of their family heritage.”

Gresham’s School students joined the Norfolk Record Office to learn about using an archive, handling documents, and gaining experience finding and interpreting documents. Using their new skills they wrote the text for two of the exhibition panels – one on rationing in WWI, the other on the Zeppelin raids – and the students chose the items that would be photographed and/or displayed in the cases.

So come along to see this diverse and informative exhibition. We are located at: The Archive Centre, Martineau Lane, Norwich, Norfolk NR1 2DQ (opposite County Hall)

Opening Hours:
Monday, Wednesday and Friday: 9am – 5pm
Tuesday: 9.30am – 5pm
Thursday: 9am – 7pm