Students will help to make a short film telling the story of a Cornish mining family caught up in the First World War thanks to a £9000 National Lottery grant.

Creative Kernow’s Project ‘From War to Peace – Young Cornish Students Research A Cornish Tommy’s Return’ will use volunteers to research the story using photographs, film, newspaper clippings, documents, letters and photos of keepsakes, as well as neighbours’ memories passed down to help them build a clear picture of what an 18 year old recruit’s life and his return home was really like. The story will be captured in a short film (working title “Cornish Tommies”) and screened in community centres, schools and universities.

Tim Smithies Project Director of C Fylm, a network of film clubs across Cornwall, said: ‘We are looking forward to engaging a wide variety of local people in learning about the lives of Cornish people in the First World War and its aftermath, and how their lives connect so closely to our lives today for example in the musical and cultural events we still enjoy.’

To volunteer to take part or learn new skills in film production at workshops please contact [email protected] with WW1 in the subject line.