AN ONLINE commemoration of life in Cumbria during the First World War has been launched by Cumbria County Council.

The county council’s libraries and archives services are working together to showcase the archival and local studies material held in their collections to mark the centenary of the First World War.

One of the key initiatives is a website which covers a number of topics ranging from life on the home front to wartime poetry and literature. Visitors can discover how events shaping the First World War unfolded on a daily basis, both internationally and at home in Cumbria. The web pages also provide an opportunity to search copies of local Cumbrian newspapers for references to soldiers from this area who fought in the war, including news of volunteering, honours awarded, home leave and, more sadly, casualties and deaths. The web pages can be found by visiting www.cumbria.gov.uk/ww1 Libraries and archives centres across the county will be holding exhibitions and events throughout the commemoration period.

These include an author talk at Carlisle Library on Wednesday, September 17, at 5.30pm, when Louise Miller will discuss her book, A Fine Brother: The Life of Captain Flora Sandes, a biography of the only Western woman to have enlisted and fought as a soldier during the First World War. Tickets cost £1, which includes refreshments, and are available from Carlisle Library. Tel.01228-227310.

For more information, visit www.cumbria.gov.uk/libraries or www.cumbria.gov.uk/archives or go to our library pages on Facebook or follow the Library Service and the Archive Service on Twitter - @cumbrialibs @CumbriaArchives