Last year, Grey Roots Museum & Archives created an in-house community exhibit to recognize the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War. This exhibit, titled Surviving the Unthinkable: Citizen Soldiers of Grey, highlighted the experiences of Grey County’s men and women in the battlefield during the First World War. The main feature of this exhibit was a wall of photographs, submitted by community members, of local citizens in their military uniforms and as civilians. The people of Grey County who served so valiantly were nickel platers, chicken pickers, farmers and blacksmiths; regular civilians who responded to the call of “King and Country.”

This meaningful gallery of images and stories, showing the contrast between life at home and life on the battlefield, is now available as an online exhibit through the Grey Roots Museum & Archives website.

By visiting greyroots.com, visitors can explore the touching and heartfelt stories of some of the thousands of Grey County citizens who answered the call of King and Country to serve in the First World War. Many never returned to their homes, and all were forever changed by their experiences.

“With no remaining veterans from the First World War, it’s vital that these stories continue to be told and we ensure their sacrifices are not forgotten” says Stephanie McMullen, lead researcher. “Thank you to everyone that reached out following our request for photographs. Your contributions made this important exhibit possible.” 

Do you have images of Grey County relatives or friends in uniform who served in the First World War (1914-1918), and another photo of him / her in their everyday clothing (from 1910-1925)? If so, please contact Stephanie McMullen at [email protected]. We would love to include your images and stories as part of this powerful community exhibit.

To explore Surviving the Unthinkable: Citizen Soldiers of Grey online, visit greyroots.com.

source: media release, Grey Roots