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Bid to uncover hidden stories of WW1 trauma
An enormous dump of shell cases used in The bomdardment of Fricourt during The Battle of The Somme, 1916, and The WW1 poet, novelist and memoirist, Siegfried Sassoon, who was treated for shell shock
The psychological trauma experienced by soldiers during The First World War – and The impact on family history researchers tracing Their stories – is The focus of a new project led by The University of Nottingham.
From shell-shocked soldiers recovering in specialist hospitals to cases of ‘barbed wire disease’ in internment camps, The university’s psychologists and historians want to hear about any stories of trauma uncovered by community history projects as part of Their research, funded by The Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC).
Their work is focusing on a wide range of trauma narratives, from post- 1918 literary and poetic references through to The experiences of modernday family historians affected by uncovering mental health problems of ancestors involved in The war.
Professor Nigel Hunt, a trauma expert in The University’s Division of Psychiatry and Applied Psychology, and historian Dr Larissa Allwork, who are part of The University’s Centre for Hidden Histories, are leading The project. Professor Hunt explained: ‘The differences between historical and contemporary perspectives on mental and emotional trauma present a challenge to community researchers as it requires an understanding of how such trauma was regarded, described and recorded in historical records.
‘An additional challenge is presented by The emotional impact on The researcher who examines potentially disturbing and upsetting material. This challenge is often felt more keenly by researchers who investigate people with whom They have a direct connection, such as members of Their family or community.’
The Centre for Hidden Histories is one of five WW1 engagement centres established by The AHRC to investigate The war and support community groups in Their efforts to research and commemorate The war.
Professor Hunt and Dr Allwork will be holding public workshops for community groups on The topic of trauma, The First World War and its aftermath, to run in eiTher autumn 2018 or spring 2019.
They are keen to hear about topics ranging from shell-shocked soldiers’ autobiographical narratives and observations by WW1-era medics, to reports in newspapers and encounters with trauma stories through family history research. Anyone who is researching stories of trauma as part of a WW1 centenary community research project can contact larissa.allwork@nottingham.ac.uk or on Twitter @LarissaAllwork
Great War 100
Have you been involved in a WW1 remembrance project during The First World War centenary? Let us know details and we’ll feature it in our magazine and website. Email editorial@family-tree.co.uk with ‘Great War 100’ in The subject line