No Man’s Land: Young People Uncover Women’s Viewpoints on the First World War is a groundbreaking publication created by New Focus, our young people’s collective. The book brings to life the story of the First World War through the eyes of women.

The book features images that have never been published before, including photographs taken by Mary ‘Fluffy’ Porter who joined the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps and pictures from the photo-album made by Sister ‘Josie’ Kane, who travelled to Malta to work for Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Military Nursing Service.

“In the book, we wanted to show the real everyday lives of women during the First World War, and that they had enjoyable but also tough and heart-breaking experiences.” Ione Collins, New Focus

Explaining the importance of the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) support, the head of the HLF in Yorkshire and the Humber, David Renwick, said: “The impact of the First World War was far reaching, touching and shaping every corner of the UK and beyond. The Heritage Lottery Fund has already invested more than £86 million to more than 1,700 projects – large and small – that are marking this global Centenary. It’s great to see National Lottery funding has enabled young people at Impressions Gallery to explore the continuing legacy of this conflict, in particular the contribution of women.”

The publication is inspired by the major exhibition No Man’s Land: Women’s Photography and the First World War which was on show at Impressions Gallery from 7th October to 30th December 2017.

This project is funded by the Heritage Lottery Young Roots scheme and we thank National Lottery Players.

The project is led by New Focus in partnership with Impressions Gallery, with heritage partners The Peace Museum Bradford, University of Leeds, and The First World War Centenary Partnership, led by IWM.

About the Heritage Lottery Fund

Thanks to National Lottery players, we invest money to help people across the UK explore, enjoy and protect the heritage they care about – from the archaeology under our feet to the historic parks and buildings we love, from precious memories and collections to rare wildlife. www.hlf.org.uk. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and use #NationalLottery and #HLFsupported.

Since April 2010, HLF has awarded over £86 million to more than 1,700 projects marking the Centenary. We have awarded over £10.8 million to 1,301 projects under First World War: Then and Now.