Remembrance film shown ahead of Everton match
A poignant film created to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, developed by LJMU students in partnership with the Royal British Legion (RBL), was screened at an Everton game during Remembrance weekend.
The two-minute film features ‘ghosts’ of soldiers returning home in 1945 mingling with today’s football fans at both Everton’s former home at Goodison Park and outside the new Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Students worked with the RBL’s Community Engagement team to build a narrative around events in 1945, and the preceding war years, in which soldiers embarked and disembarked ships at Bramley Moore Dock where the new Everton stadium now stands.
Filming took place at Goodison Park earlier this year, and more recently outside Hill Dickinson Stadium, with characters in military dress handing out cards to fans explaining how soldiers returned to the football stands just after VE Day in 1945 and later that year after VJ Day.
Seven students studying with LJMU’s School of Art and Creative Industries filmed, directed and edited the moving film which shows fans from 2025 meeting the soldiers of 1945. It is set to the poem ‘Know Your History’ written by Lousie Rimmer, a PhD student with the Creative Writing department, and is voiced by Simon “Rossie” Ross, radio presenter and Everton stadium announcer.
This has been a brilliant project, bringing together students from LJMU and working with Everton FC to mark two historic events – the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War and the move from Goodison to Bramley Moore. The film really captures the hidden history we have right on our doorstep here in Liverpool and it was special to see the film broadcast as part of Everton’s Remembrance activity this weekend.
Stuart Steel, RBL Community Engagement Officer
Professor Rachel McLean, Director of the Liverpool School of Art and Creative Industries, said: “This is the second time our students have worked with the Community Engagement team this year, and it’s given them the opportunity to really test their skills and apply their learning to another real-life project. Seeing their work shown at a Premier League game is a momentous achievement and one our students should be very proud of.”
Forgotten Army collaboration
Over the summer LJMU students studying a range of creative, social science and business subjects worked with the RBL and artist Mahtab Hussain to bring to life the stories behind his sculpture for the ‘Forgotten Army’ exhibition, which honours the vital part played by the British Indian Army in WWII. Students created an AR experience and a website to host their digital media, interviews and research. They also devised an original performance which was showcased at a launch event in September as the exhibition was unveiled at Liverpool’s Central Library. It remains on display until 16 November when it will then go on a national tour.
Working with the Royal British Legion
The charity is a Corporate Fellow of LJMU and in the past the university has worked with them to conduct research to benefit veterans and their families and, through its ongoing commitment to supporting the Armed Forces community, is looking at ways to continue working in partnership with the charity for the benefit of those communities.
LJMU’s support for the Armed Forces community
LJMU signed the Armed Forces Covenant in 2021. Since then, it has appointed its first Armed Forces Champion and formed a cross-university Armed Forces Steering Group.
From research to Arts projects, to strengthening educational paths for ex-forces personnel, to widening participation in higher education through engagement with youth cadet groups. The university undertakes a variety of collaboration in this field to support the Armed Forces community.
Additionally, in August 2024, LJMU was awarded gold status under the Ministry of Defence Employer Recognition Scheme in acknowledgement of the work being undertaken in support of the Armed Forces Covenant.
Find out more about LJMU’s pledge to the Armed Forces community.
