Organizations Related to WW1
Battlefield Tours and Guides
Battlefield Tour Companies
There are now a large number of companies and individuals willing to show people the battlefields. They range from private tours where you are responsible for your own transport and accommodation all the way up to catering for a large coach filled with school children.
Battlefield Tour CompaniesThe International Guild of Battlefield Guides
The International Guild of Battlefield Guides was inaugurated in 2003. It's aim is to analyse, develop and raise the understanding and practice of hattlefield guiding. The organization has many members, over 40 of whom have passed the Guild's validation programme as battlefield tour guides. A number of commercial battlefield tour companies are affiliated to the Guild and some of their guides are “Badged Guides” with the Guild.
If you are a guide and you would like to meet fellow battlefield guides to share information, learn about new approaches to the subject of guiding or take part in the accreditation programme visit: International Guild of Battlefield Guides
War Grave Agencies
The American Battle Monuments Commission
Military Forces of the United States of America
The American Battle Monuments Commission was established by an act of Congress in March 1923 to construct and maintain memorials in the United States and in foreign countries where U.S. armed forces have served since 6th April 1917.
American Battle Monuments CommissionBelgian Military Graves
Military Forces of Belgium
The Belgian Ministry of Defence is responsible for the care and maintenance of Belgian military graves. A private individual, Patrick de Wolf, has produced a magnificent piece of work on his website listing details of Belgian military burials, cemeteries and registers.
Belgian War GravesCommissariato Generale
Military Forces of Italy
The Italian war graves agency was founded in 1919.
Commissariato GeneraleCommonwealth War Graves Commission
Military Forces of the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, India, New Zealand, South Africa
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission is responsible for 1.7 million graves and memorials thoughout the world. It records and maintains the graves and memorials of members of the Commonwealth countries who died in both World War One (WW1) and World War Two (WWII). The organization also has extensive records of where the cemeteries and memorials are and who is buried or mentioned in them.
Commonwealth War Graves CommissionMinistère des Pensions
Military Forces of France
Le Ministère des Pensions is the French war graves agency which cares for the French military cemeteries from the 1914-1918 war to the present day. There are 265 cemeteries in France classed as “nécropoles nationales” - national cemeteries - for those who have died for France, “Mort pour la France”.
Ministère des PensionsVolksbund Deutsche Kriegsgräberfürsorge (VDK)
Military Forces of Germany
The work of the Volksbund or VDK is officially carried out on behalf of the German government although the Volksbund is still funded by donations from the German people and the members of the association.
Volksbund Deutsche Kriegsgräberfürsorge (VDK)Remembrance Societies and Projects
The Gallipoli Association
Formed by a veteran of the 1915 campaign in the Dardanelles to further the Remembrance of the men who fought in it.
The Gallipoli AssociationThe Great War Society (UK)
The Society is a Living History group with the aim to provide an opportunity for practical research into uniforms, weapons, equipment and training of Great War soldiers from Armies of the Allies and Central powers.
The Great War SocietyThe Great War Society (US)
The Society exists to encourage discussion, learning, scholarship and independent research on the events surrounding the First World War.
The Great War SocietyKhaki Devil
A company founded by collectors of equipment and uniforms which provides First and Second World War historical advice for film and television. It also provides a service for schools and amateur dramatic societies working to a tight budget.
Khaki DevilThe LMS-Patriot Project
This charity is involved with building a new, Royal British Legion endorsed, steam engine called "The Unknown Warrior" in memory of all who fell in the Great War. The new Patriot class engine is due for completion before the 100th anniversary of WW1 armistice in 2018.
The LMS-Patriot ProjectLast Post Association
The Last Post Association is responsible for arranging and sounding the daily ceremony of Last Post at the Menin Gate Memorial in Ieper (Ypres), Belgium.
Last Post AssociationNational Memorial Arboretum, Staffordshire
A memorial arboretum created as a living tribute to the armed and civil services of the United Kingdom.
National Memorial ArboretumOver the Front
Founded by the League of World War One Aviation Historians to accumulate, preserve and publish data about aerial activity of World War I.
Over The FrontThe Western Front Association (WFA)
The Association aims to further interest in the period 1914-1918, to perpetuate the memory, courage and comradeship of those of all sides who served their countries in France and Flanders and their own countries during the Great War.
The Western Front Association (WFA)Academic Study
Centre for First World War Studies, University of Birmingham
Established on 11th November 2002 the centre has an aim to provides academic courses and events for staff, graduates of Birmingham University and the general public to further their knowledge of and interest in the First World War.
Centre for First World War StudiesInternational Society for First World War Studies
A Society to bring together postgraduates and more established academics who study the First World War.
International Society for First World War StudiesAcknowledgements
Last Post Association logo: by kind permission of the Last Post Association.
The Western Front Association logo: by kind permission of The Western Front Association.