Chris Kempshall - Project Officer

Chris Kempshall – Project Officer

I am the Project Officer for East Sussex County Council’s First World War Centenary Project. In this role I have been creating content for this website and liaising with local museums, community groups, and residents.

I have been actively researching the First World War since 2008 and completed my PhD at the University of Sussex in 2013. My research focused specifically on relations between British and French soldiers on the Western Front. The First World War Centenary is a once in a lifetime opportunity to examine and discuss the impact of the war at local, national, and international levels.

I have been keen for sometime to participate in a project that highlighted the unique role and position East Sussex played in the events of the First World War, and told the stories of those who were here then and who are here now.

With this in mind I am very proud and pleased with what we have achieved with this website. You can add stories and events or view those of others. You can also participate in the ongoing project to chart all of Sussex’s War Memorials and discover the stories of those listed upon them. However, most important of all; everything that you see on this website will exist beyond 2018. All of the stories, the images, and the details will be archived at The Keep to ensure future generations can explore the history of East Sussex in the First World War.

I sincerely hope you like what we have created here. I would love to hear your thoughts and your feedback and, most importantly, I eagerly look forward to reading your stories and contributions.