Successful Launch of New Podcast & Exhibition commemorating the 110th anniversary of the Battle of the Boar’s Head

An exhibition and podcast exploring the lives of 23 men from Worthing, Sussex, who died on the 30th June, 1916 at The Battle of the Boar’s Head was officially launched at Worthing Town Hall on Monday 29th June, where more than 100 members of the public attended to celebrate the children's achievements. 

Among the guests was Deputy Lieutenant Reverend Rupert Toovey, who was deeply impressed by both the quality of the work produced and the enthusiasm demonstrated by the young people throughout the project. 

The Battle of the Boar's Head holds particular significance for Sussex communities. 

Often referred to as "The Day Sussex Died", the assault, intended to provide a diversion from the attack planned on the Somme the following day, involved the Royal Sussex Regiment and resulted in devastating losses, with 366 men from towns like Worthing killed and more than 1,000 wounded or taken prisoner in just a few hours. The scale of loss had a profound and lasting impact on local communities, shaping collective memory and identity across the region. 

Pupils from Bramber and Homefield Primary Schools created artwork, poetry and biographical research about their soldiers for a public exhibition at Worthing Town Hall. Younger pupils from Springfield Infant School also contributed artwork, with children from Reception through to Year 2 helping to tell the stories of their local casualties through creative work. 

The children developed skills in research, teamwork and storytelling, while building empathy and a deeper understanding of how the war shaped their community. CWGC collaborated with the SHINE Worthing project, which supports children from all backgrounds to access new and meaningful experiences. 

The exhibition has been warmly received by visitors and will remain open until 17th July, with all members of the public welcome to attend and explore the responses created by the children. 

Podcast now available to listen to 

The launch also marked the release of the four-part Battle of the Boar's Head podcast, which was met with great excitement and interest from families, local residents and the wider community. 

The podcast has been researched, written and performed by the children of Bramber and Homefield Primary Schools and made possible by kind support from The Lawson Trust. The final episode includes an interview with military historian and First World War podcaster, Paul Reed, who visited the children to talk to them during the project. 

All four episodes are now available to listen to here.

Commemorating the 110th Anniversary 

To bring the experience full circle, the children attended Worthing's annual Battle of the Boar's Head memorial service at Beach House Park on 30th June, the 110th anniversary of the battle itself. 

During the service, pupils laid hand-drawn and handwritten CWGC tributes at the memorial crosses commemorating the 23 men whose lives they had researched throughout the project. The act provided a moving connection between their months of work and the real people behind the stories. 

One pupil also read a poignant original poem inspired by his research, providing a powerful reminder of the lasting impact these stories can have on younger generations. 

Leaving a Lasting Legacy 

Although the exhibition and commemorations have now taken place, one final stage of the project remains. The children's research will be uploaded to the CWGC's For Evermore stories portal, ensuring that the lives and sacrifices of these men are preserved and accessible for future generations. 

By adding these stories to For Evermore, the project creates a lasting legacy that extends far beyond the anniversary year, fulfilling CWGC's commitment to ensuring that those who died are remembered—and that their stories remain available for all to discover, learn from and reflect upon in perpetuity.