PEOPLE are invited to make a date this Friday 17th June for the final roadshow of a two-year project to create a community archive recording the sacrifices made by Hartlepool people in the Merchant Navy and fishing fleets during the First World War.

‘Heroism and Heartbreak – True Tales From The Hartlepools At War’ has rediscovered and retold the stories of more than 260 of the town’s seafarers who lost their lives during the conflict and the fascinating histories of over 400 locally-owned or built ships which were sunk by enemy action.

Although the project itself comes to an end this summer, all the information is permanently preserved on the ‘Hartlepool History Then And Now’ website – www.hhtandn.org - which is free for everyone to use.

The Heritage Lottery-funded project has been led by the Nautical Archaeology Society North-East and Hartlepool Council’s Library and Museum Services working in partnership with local groups and volunteers.

Over the last two years it has run a series of roadshows, inviting people to bring along photographs, letters, diaries and other documents relating to their Hartlepool family members who went to sea during the First World War. These were then copied and added to the website.

Project volunteers and library staff were also on hand to advise people how they could find out more about their ancestor’s war record to create their own lasting family memorial.

The project’s final roadshow on Friday 17th June is in the Community Room in Hartlepool Central Library in York Road from 11am to 2pm, giving people an opportunity to see what has been achieved and a last chance to contribute information to the website if they haven’t already done so.

On sale at the roadshow will be three booklets produced by the project – a Maritime Roll of Honour of the seafarers who lost their lives and two volumes of stories about the individuals and their ships.

Project Manager Gary Green said: “Sailing on unarmed and defenceless merchant ships and fishing boats, our seafarers were very courageous and this project offered their descendants what might well be a last opportunity to preserve those life stories for posterity.

“Thanks to the generosity of local people who have come forward and shared information, the project has created an important and very poignant historical record for future generations.”

Diane Marlborough, Hartlepool Council’s Reference and Information Manager, added: “There’s still time for people to contribute photographs and information at the last roadshow – as well as the lives of seafarers, we’re also keen to hear about the experiences of Hartlepool people in the war as a whole, particularly the role played by women, such as those working in the shipyards or in the National Shell Factory for example.”

For more information about the project contact Hartlepool Central Library on 01429 242909 or email infodesk@hartlepool.gov.uk