Some of the Isle of Man’s most interesting stories from the First World War are now available online thanks to a series of six short films inspired by the new exhibition at the Manx Aviation Museum.

The films produced by Culture Vannin cover subjects like ’The first and last Manx deaths of WWI’, ’The island’s first aeroplane crash’, ’The dead of Douglas’ and ’Manx Conscientious Objectors.’

The museum’s director, Ivor Ramsden, tells some of the stories featured in the exhibition.

James Franklin, online and educational resources officer at Culture Vannin, said: ’I was struck by how important and moving some of the stories from the exhibition were when I visited.

’The First World War is a subject so vast and difficult to comprehend, but I felt that some of the stories in the exhibition offered a wonderfully easy way into this complex part of the island’s history."

A map plotting every home in Douglas that suffered a death from the conflict has been a popular feature of the exhibition since opening and it now features in a film.

The stories of the first and last deaths of the war offer a harrowing insight into the meaning of lost lives in the conflict. This is taken further in a film about postcards from a daughter to her soon-to-be-killed father at the front.

In addition, the story of the island’s first aeroplane crash (in 1919) is told. It is the tale of a stunt fighter pilot showing off over King William’s College while on the run from court martial in England.

The museum would like more information from the public.

Mr Franklin said: ’The First World War still very much forms a part of our national identity in the Isle of Man. It is great to be able to help people better comprehend it and, we hope, encourage them to find out more, by visiting exhibitions such as those at the Aviation Museum.’

The films are available on the Culture Vannin website and YouTube. The museum, near Ronaldsway Airport, is open 10am to 4.30pm every Saturday and Sunday.