Are We Forgetting The First World War?

Is the First World War slowly fading from public memory, or has our relationship with the Great War simply changed? In this episode, Are We Forgetting The First World War? , we explore how interest in WW1 has grown, shifted, and adapted over the last forty years, and what the future may hold. We begin in the 1980s , with the formation and growth of the Western Front Association , a turning point that helped revive serious public interest in the First World War. From there, we chart the expansion of family history research , as available records and personal archives encouraged millions to reconnect with relatives who served. We also reflect on the passing of the last surviving First World War veterans , a deeply symbolic moment that changed how the war is remembered and commemorated. The episode then examines the rise of battlefield tourism , local history projects, and public engagement that laid the foundations for the First World War Centenary (2014–2018), a period of unprecedented books, documentaries, exhibitions, podcasts, and community remembrance. But what happened after the centenary ended? We explore the unexpected “Covid bonus” , when lockdowns sparked a surge in WW1 podcasts, YouTube channels, online talks, and digital history projects , bringing the Great War to new audiences in new ways. Finally, we ask where we are today . Is interest in the First World War declining, fragmenting, or evolving? And crucially, what can historians, educators, content creators, and enthusiasts do to ensure the First World War is not forgotten ? Sign up for the free podcast newsletter here: Old Front Line Bulletin . You can order Old Front Line Merch via The Old Front Line Shop . Got a question about this episode or any others? Drop your question into the Old Front Line Discord Server or email the podcast . Send us Fan Mail Support the show

You can listen to Are We Forgetting The First World War? online on Radio and Podcast. Open the player on this page to stream the available audio.

Are We Forgetting The First World War? is an episode from The Old Front Line by Paul Reed.

This episode is 41:41 long.

This episode was published on Jan 3, 2026.

Yes. Use the heart button on the episode page to add it to your favorite episodes list.

Yes. This page shows related episodes from The Old Front Line when more episodes are available from the podcast feed.