Our Part

About Us

The Leach-Sangster First World War collection has been digitized and preserved, including high-resolution scans of letters, photographs, and artifacts. These valuable records are now available on this website, ensuring their protection for future generations.

Research & Storytelling

Our ongoing research aims to provide deeper context to the letters and artifacts. We are working to uncover the personal stories of Bob, Murray, and their comrades, bringing their experiences to life through detailed narratives and historical analysis.

Expanding Accessibility

We are planning to expand the accessibility of the collection to engage a wider audience and foster a deeper understanding of Canada’s role in the First World War.

Future goals

We are exploring opportunities to further share and expand upon the knowledge base of the Leach-Sangster First World War collection. This includes considering collaborations with other researchers and historians, as well as exploring potential projects in various media to reach broader audiences.

Rob Woodcock & Sarah Taylor

ourpartww1.ca is a collaborative project driven by Rob Woodcock and Sarah Taylor, a husband and wife team with a shared passion for history and a deep connection to the past. Rob, the great-grandson of Murray Sangster and great-grand-nephew of Bob Leach, inherited the Leach-Sangster First World War collection, a remarkable trove of letters, photographs, and artifacts passed down through his family.

Both Rob and Sarah hold MAs in Classical Studies from Western University, providing them with a strong foundation in historical research and analysis. They are jointly dedicated to digitizing, preserving, and sharing the stories within the collection. Their work focuses on uncovering the personal narratives of Bob, Murray, and their comrades, bringing their experiences to life through detailed research and analysis.