The 100 Hearts Project

To commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the ending of 
World War I, members of the Embroiderers Guild were invited to make a heart which will be on display in locations around the country.
Principal exhibitions to display the hearts are the Knitting and Stitching Shows at London and Harrogate this year and the NEC, Birmingham in 2019.

Here are two hearts lovingly made by members of Lytham St Annes branch.

This red heart decorated with goldwork, was made by our member K in honour of her grandfather who fought in the Great War.
The writing on the top reads Royal Fusiliers.

The goldwork Flags and the Thistle represent their emblems. Very detailed work.

The lettering reads 1916 Somme and his name  

James Henry Hesse number 2466. 

The stripe signifies that he was wounded in battle. Wounded ex-service men had to wear these stripes to prevent them from being harassed by some who would go around giving a white feather to any man whom they deemed as cowards for not being in active service! 

This very brave man was a Signaller who put up the wires used for communication during WWI. It was a very dangerous job and this led to him being shot in the back and lying in No Mans Land for over 24 hours. He was found on 16 July 1916 and sent to the Casualty Clearing Station 12 miles away but the shrapnel stayed and bothered him for the rest of his life and would flare up with red patches on his skin.
The casualty report stated 'several gun shrapnel in back' and his records managed to survive when the Warehouse in London were they were kept was destroyed during the Blitz. 
These are known as the Burnt Records.

This blue heart, below, was stitched by our member L to honour her grandfather's brother who was not known to her until researching her family tree.

W. A. Hutchings fought bravely in the famous series of battles in Arras during WW1.

He sadly died on 23 April 1917. It is a pity that we do not know more about him.

I find the motif of the soldier at the graveside of a fallen hero so  poignant. The silhouette also shows the recognisable army uniform from this time period which changed distinctly in the next World War.

Detail above, shows poppies growing in among barbed wire.

This picture shows the many beads which were carefully stitched around the heart.
Thank you to our two members for sharing their work and stories with us.
This has been the saddest post that I have ever written for our blog. Usually its all oohs and aahs about the stitching but this really touched me emotionally. There is more to the story about what happened to James Henry Hesse after the Great War, that brought tears to my eyes.
Many of us had relatives that fought and lived through the 2nd World War and know the sacrifices they made but so often never spoke of - so I am sure that you will find the WW1 hearts and the meaning of their motifs equally as touching.
So all that remains for me to say regarding all fallen hero and heroines; is

At the going down of the sun and in the morning.

We will remember them.