About Trench

‘Trench’

The Great War Project and Map Leicester 2500

This website is designed predominantly as a Family, Social and Military History Project; relating, currently, to the period between, 1901 and 1921. Originally, guided by an increasing interest in ‘The Great War’ and only since the 4th August 2014; that being, the 100 years Commemorations. Of course, it is now more than just the War we are looking at; to understand that, we need to understand the people that lived through it. To get that understanding, we hope to develop ‘Trench’, its branding, websites and subsequent projects that include, ‘The Great War Project’, Map Leicester 2500, databases and blogs.

The project owner / developer has, over the last 7/8 years, done extensive research and discovery into their own Family History as well as Social and Military History for the period of, 1901-21. Much research has been done for others too. It is believed that it is the right time share what has been achieved. It’s time to share the experiences. This will be achieved through development of the website, future workshops and future small business venture.

It is appreciated, that what is being offered is, if you look at the ‘Family History’ aspect, a ‘thing’ for older generations and for you at this stage of your life, is not for you. I get it. What we, at least, need to try and do, is encourage you all to approach the topic of Family History with your families. The developer lost the opportunity to talk to their father when he passed. Stories gone, the key to those photographs in that box… Lost!

This, in part, is hoped to be a family based project engaging your brother, sister, mother, father or even finding time with your kids. ‘Trench’ can be that, but it is believed to be more than just that. it is seen, for example, for teams, small groups from all aspects of society, that have that interest and like getting together; even to tell a story. I see the possibility of encouraging, for example, people who work together. May be a works social club, quiz team, night out once a week; an endless list to encourage people getting together. OK, it’s not a 5 aside football team, but there may be shared interests like family and social history, etc.

Your organisation may be quite old and have history of its own, is there an Archive or an employee that has an interest in finding out that history, why not set up your own group!

Most people do it alone, but here at ‘Trench’, it is believed ‘Better together’. Even specialists may not know everything about their subject, but in a team or group there will surely be someone to help.

So what is ‘Trench’? It’s a project with its associated website, workshops & business… An idea, concept, development, process… To encourage, engage, &work together as a group of Family, Social &Military History, obsessed, people.

But here’s the thing… Mapping is key and is open to everyone who wants the help to tell their stories.

As ever Your help, encouragement and engagement, at this time, would be very much appreciated!

‘Trench’ is the word

Why ‘Trench?

Although, for the first couple of years after the centenary of the beginning of the War, there was no real working title as it was, then, a personal project for the site founder. However, a collection of Roll of Honour was being made and the hope to make this publicly available and online geared towards a website. At the time, many names were being considered like Tommy Atkins, Great War, Trench fever even Trench foot. But they were thought too comic, specific, droll or unfitting. We needed one word, something that could sum up the period; a period of turmoil and hardship for many.

With the help of google analytics, et al, that single word was, ‘Trench’. It still has an air of War etc. a word akin to ‘Going over the top’, but giving a little consideration, it seems to be a word that not only describes the hardships felt by the men fighting the World’s First Great War, but that one word conjures thoughts, emotions and stories of men who sat in those torrid little trenches.

Stories about your families histories of the people who lived through that period.

What makes ‘Trench’ Unique

A number of things make Trench, The Great War, Map Leicester 2500 Projects and the business unique; these include:

Trench – The Great War and relating Social History projects are, in its core, a historic mapping platform. There are a many History groups that use maps to illustrate and emphasise their projects stories. However, it is believed that the ‘Trench’ mapping project is one of the first National, community led Family, Social and Military Mapping Project, to date.

There are many large family history and Genealogy companies and websites that host many millions of records. Some are beginning to add spatial data as part of their Service. However, although Trench hopes to host social, military, historic and mapping data, whether it comes from family, organisational, private or County/National Archives, its business model is centred around community led projects.

Remember, it is all about

The Community

Local Histories

People

Their Stories

The Author, Enthusiast and Researcher

My name is Nick and I was born in the City of Leicester, growing up in a nice suburban village. Like many people around this beautiful Country of ours, and quite rightly, I am proud of my roots and the City I live in. Although, having been away from Leicester for a time, I am now living within 3 miles and happy to still be there.

Background

I have a University back ground; obtaining an Honours degree in Geographical and Land Information Management. Basically a study of Geographical Information Systems, (GIS). Systems and Data Bases that combine/interrogate geographic and attributive data. A GIS has been described as, “A system for capturing, storing, checking, analysing and displaying data which is spatially referenced to the Earth”, (Trench Notes 2).

This may seem ‘off the wall’ for the theme of this site. But hopefully, as time progresses and development continues, this will become clearer and understandable.

My working life changed significantly in 2020; making the decision to source work myself a little easier. As a result, I now endeavor to work self employed, but listed as ‘sole trader’ and trading as Smart Digital Mapping, (now Researching and Mapping the communities and specifically the people who lived and served before, during and after ‘The Great War’).

What I wish to achieve

I wish to gain a better understanding of ‘The Great War’, (Trench Notes 3) and the people and Soldiers that fought it. It is a bit of an obsession now. Something I developed, after researching, both my Grandfathers, ‘Great War’ experiences.

Private Leonard LABAND, Leicestershire Regiment
Private George W. SIBLEY, Lancashire Fusiliers

In addition, I knew these men and I called them both Grandpa. We can forget sometimes that these men fought and sometimes died for us. However and more importantly, they are part of our families. These are the very people, to whom we have a historical and sometimes emotional connection.

I wish to improve my understanding of the units these men served in; as well as the perceptions of the War too. In fact, not just for myself, but for all enthusiasts and users of ‘Trench’. Surely, ‘Trench’ followers, family researchers, and general enthusiasts could, together achieve these goals. With our modern perceptions, we can sometimes misinterpret the actions of our Ancestors. Of course, we may not agree with many of these actions, but hopefully, we can understand and put them into perspective. All being well, understanding the past and improving the way we live today.

In conclusion

Most of all, I hope to build on understanding the individuals Service. I hope that both the followers of ‘Trench’ and my own research can achieve this. Together, building a project that benefits all; in order to appreciate how all our ancestors lived through the War. I hope this can be a long term and enduring relationship. SDM and ‘Trench’ welcome families, groups of any age or individuals to the project. So join in the projects, discussions and use the developing tools. I hope, at least this project can inspire you to build your own research project ideas.

It has been developing as a personal project for some time now and the term ‘Trench’ arose during a time of the online development of a Website and Social Media profiles. Initially it was intended to find one word that could conjure up thoughts, emotions, stories and scene setting for the World’s First Great War.

This, I feel, is achieved; but continuing to use the term ‘Trench’ in a developing much wider Social History project still gives a powerful message of the era.

The project involves researching the activities of WW1 British soldiers and their units. Predominantly, this will include the service and actions of men or women, at home and on the Western front. In addition, this research has expanded to include the mapping of these events. Although the Leicestershire Regiment and specifically the 4th Battalion has special reference and consideration, SDM has no intention of restricting itself.

However, SDM hopes to build on the skills and development to broaden its interests in the long term. As well as, creating a WW1 project that will help family researchers and historians alike. But, not forgetting people with a general interest in the Great War. Hopefully, this interactive community of WW1 enthusiasts will create a better picture of the War for all.

The venture, which is continuing to be developed takes the name ‘Trench’ and encapsulates all Projects and Services provided by SDM.

Trench Services
- WW1 Soldiers Service
  - Family Archives and Belongings
  - Official Documents
  - WW1 Photographs

Trench Projects
- Trench – The Great War Project, (a platform to showcase projects)
- Blogs From the Front, (various blogs to inform and encourage people to learn more about the First World War)
- Variety of tools, (like cap badges, divisions and photographs to help users with there own research or others to improve the wider project)
- Expand SDMs and personal project, (e.g. the men and units of the Leicestershire Regiment, significantly 4th Battalion, (Territorial))

To Find out more about Trench Services and Projects follow the links above.

The Business

Smart Digital Mapping, (SDM) is, currently, a sole trading business that is in the process of developing an online, Great War and Social History, Geo Spatial Mapping Platform. The platform will be a series of functions and tools that will support Local History Groups, (LHG) from all around the United Kingdom.

The business, In the first instance will be looking to create an online resource to collectively ‘Engage, Promote, Encourage and Share local projects, family history and knowledge. Sharing he sole owners ‘Trench Collection’ of Rolls of Honour and technical skills in Geographical Information Systems to help ‘Map’ the people of your community.

The era covered for this Social History Project will cover the years between 1901 – 1921. Special reference is given to The Great War which is considered to be an integral part of the project for social change and upheaval.

Trench, Projects Summary

The platform and project is no more so than the, which, through consideration, is a word that conjures thoughts, emotions and stories regarding the, ‘Trench’ current projects include ‘The Great War Project’ and ‘Map Leicester 2500’ which, in time, will reside fully within the online platform as well as ‘Blogs from the Front’.

‘Trench’ is Smart Digital Mappings online digital presence for Family, Social and Great War History; developing a much wider Social History Project. So besides hosting the LHG researched material of the activities of British soldiers and their units of the Great War, it will combine, in parallel, research of where these very same people lived, worked, played and worshiped in communities around the UK. The LHG will effectively Geo Spatially Map all aspects of the researched material. The ‘social period’ is one that covers an era of great social change and upheaval and covers the years from 1901 to 1921.

The business, platform, project and Trench itself is, in its essence, ‘A Social History Initiative for Local Communities’. It also, to contribute and to ‘Pay History Forward’, is a collection of Citizen History Project

Mission

The ‘Mission’ of the business is to encourage members, from varying sized groups, within the LHG, to collectively engage, promote and share their family and social history research; with not only each other, but others on the platform. An ideal and ‘Value Added’ concept to the group research, is ‘Pay History Forward’ #PayHistoryForward; this is for the benefit of all participating in the greater project, now and in the future…

SDM is proud of, and is continuing with, its core technical skills of handling Geospatial and attribute data, its drawing and mapping, within the CAD, GIS and Online environments. Continually improving and building on over 18 years’ experience in the Geo Service Industry.

With the hope that this experience will enable SDM to providing a variety of services now relating to Historical data, Digital drawing and mapping. This includes the handling, managing and processing of the digital data. The management of both is a key aspect to SDM’s Business.

(i) I will have to go through a process of development with a ‘Mentor’ from the Pinnicle Group. This is the Company that organises the Governments NEA, (New Enterprise Allowance) scheme that helps Startup Businesses. I am currently, as of 7.9.2021, going through the first stage of formalising a Business Plan which has a limit of 12 weeks. At some point within that time frame I will be trading

Trench, important information

Important information regarding Trench – The Great War Project and its usage, can be found at the following links :

Important Legal requirements and site information regarding Trench – The Great War Project and its usage provided in ‘Important Site Information. Including Cookies, Copyright, Disclaimer, Privacy and Header Image