Tales of the First World War's unsung heroes to go online

They include factory workers killed or maimed by their hazardous occupation and a soldier who survived virtually the entire war, only to be killed days from the armistice when a shell landed on the hospital where he was being treated.

Their stories are documented on the National Roll of the Great War, set up after the end of hostilities with the aim of recording the contribution of every person - civilian and military - to Britain's war effort.

But instead of being bureaucratic files of state, many are the tributes of family, friends and comrades who witnessed their efforts - and their sacrifice - at first hand.