All the Welsh Archaeological Trusts, grant aided by Cadw, are focusing on the First World War over the next few years to coincide with the centenary of the War. Each year we will look at a different theme. These are:

2014-15: The militarized landscape

2015-16: Research and development/manufacturing

2016-17: Infrastructure and support

2017-18: Operations

2018-19: Commemoration

In 2014-15 the militarized landscape theme included investigations of practice trenches and rifle ranges as well as looking at training camps and prisoner of war camps. The report can be downloaded here.

In 2015-16 manufacturing and Research and Development sites were investigated including Marconi wireless stations and early aircraft. The report can be downloaded here.

In 2016-17 we looked at the theme of Infrastructure and Support; what those at home were doing to support the troops. This included hospitals and convalescent homes for injured servicemen and the work of the Women's Institute and other groups to increase food production and supply dressings and clothing for the military.The report can be downloaded here.

This year we are looking at military operations based in north west Wales. The coast of Anglesey was the front line in the war against the U-boats which attacked shipping heading for Liverpool. The focus is on the Naval Base at Holyhead, as we have already looked at the airship station at Llangefni in a previous year.

Airship in hangar (courtesy of the Anglesey Archives [WM 1609/22])