Between 1914 and 1919, 1,634 babies born in England and Wales were named in memory of the First World War. DCMS and The National Archives have revealed the forgotten stories of those given the name “Passchendaele” to encourage others to look into their own family connection to the War.
At least 10 babies were named after the battle that lasted between 31 July 1917 and 10 November 1917. While many of the war inspired names have passed out of use, some families have continued the tradition. The Government’s call for descendants of the men and women who took part in Passchendaele, Third Battle of Ypres earlier this year unearthed the stories of two people with links to the children named ‘Passchendaele’.