A HUGE replica of one of the symbols representing the sacrifice of the First World War marks the start of a project to remember its impact on Chelmsford.
The Memorial Plaque, also known as the Dead Man's Penny, hangs in the centre of High Chelmer Shopping Centre to mark the opening of the Chelmsford Remembers project.
Project director Malcolm Noble said: "Chelmsford Remembers is an opportunity for the people of our city to contribute their memories of family members who lived through the great war.
"In partnership with High Chelmer and the Ideas Hub, we will be gathering stories, photographs and artefacts relating to the First World War throughout the autumn."
The Dead Man's Penny was given to more than 1.3 million families of those who lost their lives in the five-year conflict.
Headed up by Frederick Slater, project co-ordinator, the team want people to bring photographs, newspaper clippings, documents, letters, keepsakes, artefacts and family stories to them to build up a picture of how the conflict affected Chelmsford.
High Chelmer centre manager Mick McDonagh said: "All memories are fleeting and if history is to be known wider than in history books, then it is up to all of us to tell what we know so it can be preserved for others.
"How many of us have heard tales of times past and said 'we must write that down some day', only to try and tell it to a new audience and have trouble remembering details and names.
"So if you have a family story about World War One, write it down, type it up or e-mail it to yourself for the next generation and if retaining it is a burden, then send it to us and we will keep it for you."
"When it comes to history we can all look up the big events, the important dates in any number of history books but what is more interesting are the so-called ordinary stories, tales of seemingly unimportance that touch us in our own everyday lives which in turn makes history come to life.
"Ordinary people lived through these extraordinary times and their tales deserve to be known to be remembered, to be told and retold so that future generations continue to learn from the past."
It is hoped the archive material will be used for inclusion in a display.
The penny installation is one of a series of events which will take place from now until autumn as part of the Chelmsford Remembers project.
For more information visit www.highchelmer.com