IF we don’t record it now, their stories will be lost forever.

That was the message behind a special World War One event at Winchester’s Discovery Centre on Saturday (jan 18).

Your Time to Share is encouraging residents to come forward with anything that helps tell the story of ‘Hampshire’s unique involvement’ in the Great War.

Organisers say that could be anything from medals and photographs, to postcards and household items from the period. Memorabilia presented will be considered for use in Soldiers’ Journey, an exhibition illustrating the county’s contribution to the Great War.

Robin Iles, of Winchester City Museums, said the initiative is crucial.

Between 1pm and 4.30pm a steady stream of people passed through the centre, with a total of 25 different sets of items presented.

“Peoples’ grandparents and great-grandparents, they will have personal memories of these stories but some of those stories are going to be lost if we don’t record them now. In that way we can begin to answer the questions that those of the modern generation might have about what happened.

“Telling the story through a history can make it feel quite distant, boring even. But when we can tell a story of someone in their town, from Winchester, perhaps of their own age, it makes it real to them.”

Soldiers’ Journey is a joint effort between Winchester City Council, Southampton City Council, and Hampshire County Council, and is supported by the Arts Council England. It will be at a variety of locations, include the Discovery Centre, throughout the county from October11 2014, until January 11, 2015.