Published: Thursday, 6th November, 2008 12:00pm

Remembering the Great War as 90th anniversary approaches

With the 90th anniversary of Armistice Day, the ending of World War 1, fast approaching, tv channels everywhere are revisiting the history of that horrific war.

RTE is broadcasting a number of special programmes over the coming weeks, the highlight of which is, arguably,

1918 Sown in Tears of Blood to be shown on RTE One at 11.55pm on Sunday, November 9.

This programme was shown many years ago and commemorates all those Irishmen from both north and south of the border who fought and died during the First World War.

In this programme, Irish veterans of the Great War and their families tell their stories while a group of teenagers - some of whose ancestors had fought or fallen in the conflict - come together to build a tower in their honour. It is beautifully illustrated with footage of the time, and poignantly profiles the personal experiences of those in the trenches. The programme also explores the complexities of what motivated them to be on the front lines during WWI, and attitudes to them in the aftermath.

Produced by Margaret Ward and presented by Myles Dungan, 'Sown in Tears and Blood' was first made and broadcast in 1998.Meanwhile, the BBC is also hosting a series of programmes to mark the anniversary.

Among them is 1918-2008 - Ninety Years Of Remembrance, My Family At War - which explores, over a four-part series, the personal stories of the ancestors of some famous people, including Eamon Holmes, Phil Tufnel and this week, Rolf Harris.

The episode which focuses on the World War 1 soldier ancestors of Rolf Harris and Kirsty Wark is on BBC One on Tuesday, November 11, at 9pm.

Rolf takes an emotional voyage when he follows his father and uncle"s journey through Northern France where they both came to fight with the Anzacs.

On the boat over to France, Rolf recalls how, in 1969, he had chart-topping success with the song Two Little Boys, but never understood why his aunt found it too emotional to listen to. Rolf retraces his father and uncle"s movements to the battlefields where they fought side by side. On learning their full histories he, at last, fully understands why his song had so much resonance for his aunt.

Meanwhile, Kirsty traces the story of her great uncle, James Allan Wark, who joined up to fight at the start of the First World War. He was sent to France, where he wrote a series of moving letters home. Kirsty wants to find out about the gruesome reality of his war that he was not including in his letters.