Fields of Battle 14-18 is registered as a not-for-profit charity, number 1141520, in the United Kingdom, for the purpose of creating a series of open-air exhibitions with supporting educational materials. Its particular aim is to present the story of the First World War across the many states of Europe, to an audience unused to visiting museums and galleries.

Can you help us?

We are actively seeking ongoing financial support for this free-to-view commemorative exhibition throughout the centenary. Sponsorship, and public support is critical to ensuring the continuation of the project over the next three years. Can you help? Please contact us.

The Chairman of the Trustees - Sir Evelyn Webb-Carter KCVO, OBE, DL

The board of trustees is privileged to operate under the leadership of its highly respected Chairman
Sir Evelyn Webb-Carter. It is difficult to imagine an individual with a more fitting background and unquestionable personal commitment to commemorating the centenary of The First World War and to take the charity forward in fullfilling its obligations.

Commissioned into the Grenadier Guards in 1964 he was mentioned in despatches for service in Northern Ireland in 1980. In 1991 he became Commander of 19th Infantry Brigade and in late 1996 he was appointed the Commander of the Multinational Division (South West) for the Stabilisation Force in Bosnia.

In June 1997 he was appointed Major-General commanding the Household Division and General Officer Commanding London District. He was the Chairman of Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother’s 100th birthday celebrations in 2000 before his retirement in 2001.

More recently, Sir Evelyn Webb-Carter held the position of Controller of the Army Benevolent Fund; in addition, he remained the President of the Duke of Wellington’s Regimental Association until 2009.

A message from Sir Evelyn Webb-Carter

When I first learned of the worthy objectives of the ‘Fields of Battle’ Charitable Trust, I knew immediately that this was a project I needed to become not only associated with, but actively involved in, hence my appointment as Chairman of the Trustees.
Two of my uncles died on the Western Front during World War I. As a direct consequence, I feel very close to this dreadful period of our history. As we approach the centennial years of this conflict, it is important that the public are provided with an opportunity to learn more of this war; ‘Fields of Battle’ is a simple but imaginative way of bringing it closer to each and every one of us.

I am delighted to say that so many distinguished organisations including:
The Imperial War Museum, The Commonwealth War Graves Commission, The French Ministry of Defence and The Causeway Institute, have already chosen to actively support this highly important venture so close to its launch.

All these bodies are sharing my goal of ensuring that the events surrounding World War I and those that took part in it, are remembered by as large and as diverse an audience as possible. As the momentum continues to build towards the Centenary, they will be joined, I am certain, by many other respected organisations who wish to assist in ensuring these objectives are achieved.

I commend the project to all.

Sir Evelyn Webb-Carter KCVO, OBE, DL

The Inspiration

The following quotation by First World War veteran P. J. Campbell, written at the end of the war,
inspired the exhibition:

They were everywhere... they would not be lonely,
there were too many of them.
I saw that bare country before me...
...but the country would come back to life...
They would lie still and at peace below the singing larks, beside the serenely flowing rivers.
They could not feel lonely, they would have one another.
And they would have us also ...we belonged to them, and they would be a part of us for ever.