Hallowed Ground, with Megan Kelleher

In this episode, I talk with Megan Kelleher about the significance of pilgrimages in relation to First World War memorials, artifacts, and personal stories. She shares her family's connection to the war and explores the broader impact of war on pilgrimage practices. The discussion delves into the differences between pilgrims and tourists, the meaning of souvenirs, and the emotional connections people have with the sites they visit. The conversation highlights the role of women in commemorating the war dead, the importance of the Unknown Warrior, and the ongoing relevance of pilgrimage in contemporary society. This episode draws from Megan’s chapter entitled “Hallowed Ground: British Battlefield Tourism to the Former Western Front” in my forthcoming anthology "Pilgrimages to the Western Front of World War 1: Historical Exemplars and Contemporary Practices", edited with Stéphane Michonneau and Franck Viltart (published in 2025). Takeaways:*The Next of Kin memorial plaque symbolizes personal loss.*

*Pilgrimages serve as a way to connect with history.*

*Souvenirs from battlefields hold deep personal significance.*

*Women played a crucial role in commemorating the war dead.*

*The Unknown Warrior represents collective grief.*

*Pilgrimages provide a sense of peace and reflection.*

*Artifacts passed down through families tell unique stories.*

*The debate between pilgrim and tourist is ongoing.*

*Modern connections to historical sites enrich our understanding.*

*Commemoration practices evolve but remain deeply meaningful.*Dr Megan Kelleher is the Historian and Academic Access Manager at the RAF Museum. Her thesis focused on death and bereavement practices in Britain after the First World War, in addition to the interactions between the bereaved and the Imperial (later known as Commonwealth) War Graves Commission. Megan’s research interests include death and bereavement practices in relation to modern conflict, in addition to war dead commemorated at home. She hopes to further this research through additional study of wider commemoration and bereavement practices across Europe, as well as comparative studies of First and Second World War commemoration.In addition to her work at the Royal Air Force Museum, Megan works for the British Association for Local History where she is their Digital Strategy Coordinator. Megan is an ex-officio member of the Royal Air Force Historical Society’s committee, a member of the British Commission for Military History’s committee and an Associate Fellow of the Royal Historical Society.