Past Events | WW1 Centenary

On 25 November 2014, we commemorated the centenary of World War I through an event which reflected upon the impact the war had on the university and our community.

The event was led by the Chancellor, Mr Tom Bloxham, and the President and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell. It featured student readings of letters written by those who served in World War I, as well as original musical contributions composed by current students.

This unique occasion commemorated staff and students associated with the University of Manchester whose lives were lost or changed forever during World War I.

Click on the images below to watch videos of the commemorative event.

Composition by Rory Wainwright, ‘On Returning’, performed by the Cosmo Singers of the University of Manchester Chorus

PDF: Text of Welcome and opening remarks by the Chancellor, Mr Tom Bloxham

The social and cultural impact of World War I: From the local to the global, Dr Ana Carden-Coyne (Senior Lecturer in the War and Conflict and Co-Director of the Centre for the Cultural History of War)

‘The New Session’ by Professor FE Weiss, Vice-Chancellor (1913-1915), read by the President and Vice-Chancellor Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell

PDF: Text of ‘The New Session’, read by Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell

Letters written by students serving in World War I to Professor Thomas Tout, read by current University of Manchester students

PDF: Text of Student Reading 1, Letters from M V Gregory and Captain Bedford
PDF: Text of Student Reading 2, Letter from James Stanley Carr
PDF: Text of Student Reading 3, Letter from G S Baldwin

Composition by Yvonne Eccles, ‘Memoriam Retinebimus’, performed by the Cosmo Singers of the University of Manchester Chorus

‘May 1915’ by Florence M. Grier Evans, a student during World War I and published in the Manchester University Magazine on 13 May 1915, read by Sarah Wood — ‘May 1915’ by Florence M. Grier Evans, a student during World War I and published in the Manchester University Magazine on 13 May 1915, read by Dr Sarah Wood

Two minutes of reflective silence invited by Professor Rod Coombs, Deputy President and Deputy Vice-Chancellor

Composition by Emma Wilde, ‘Boreas’, performed by the Cosmo Singers of the University of Manchester Chorus

Closing remarks by the Chancellor, Mr Tom Bloxham