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'Precious' WWI photos help document fallen

Getty Images Soldiers of the English infantry in France, running out of their trenches at the signal to assault during World War One.Getty Images
About 750,000 British servicemen died in the First World war

"Precious photographs" and diary excerpts of thousands of Dorset servicemen who died during World War One have been made available on a new online database.

The Museum of East Dorset has recorded the details of those who died from every commemorative memorial in the area - whether private, public or religious.

Letters, postcards and medals have also been gathered for the project.

The records can be accessed for free on the Wimborne-based museum's website.

Google A white building with a glass shop front and a green sign above it saying "Museum of East Dorset"Google
The Museum of East Dorset is in Wimborne

The One Hundred Year Heritage of the First World War for Wimborne and East Dorset Project was delayed by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Francessca Hollow, the museum's director, said it included precious photographs and aimed to "ensure the names of those who died in the conflict from the community are available in one place for current and future generations".

The information is also being shared with the Imperial War Museum's Lives of the First World War project.

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