Organisers of World War One commemorative events in the Isle of Man are being encouraged to promote their plans via a central online calendar.
 
Significant milestones this year include the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the ocean liner Lusitania in the Irish Sea by a German U-boat. Peel Commissioners are planning an event on Sunday 3 May to highlight the role played by the crew of the Peel-registered fishing boat The Wanderer in rescuing 160 passengers.
 
Details of the special commemoration are featured on the Isle of Man Government’s WWI calendar, which has been set up to publicise events and activities and to help organisers avoid any potential clashes.
 
Any individuals or organisations planning to stage an event between now and 2018 are asked to complete and submit the online form or print a copy and post it to Clair Barks at clair.barks@gov.im or tel: 685211.
 
The WWI website is part of efforts to raise awareness of the Island’s contribution to the Great War and encourage community participation in the commemorations. It provides an overview of WWI’s momentous impact on the Isle of Man, not just in the considerable number of lives lost, but also in the profound economic, social and political upheaval experienced at the time.
 
The WWI Commemoration Steering Group is keen to find out if anything is being planned to mark key events from the Gallipoli campaign, such as the loss of HMS Goliath on 12 May 1915, with many Manx casualties.
 
The Steering Group is chaired by Edmund Southworth, Director of Manx National Heritage, and brings together Government officers and representatives from the Royal British Legion, Municipal Association and Chamber of Commerce. It does not directly organise activities or allocate funding, and instead provides central co-ordination for WWI commemorations being held in the Island.