In honour of Remembrance Day, this week the Forces War Records team paid a visit to the grave of Henry John ‘Harry’ Patch, the last survivor of the trenches of the First World War.
Tag: WWI
Army medics- The unsung heroes of World War One
There is a common misconception that men from the Royal Army Medical Corps had a soft job compared to the soldiers in the field; safe well behind the Front Line, they spent the war in the company of charming nurses in well-ordered hospitals, avoiding the
War Correspondents: our eyes and ears at the Front Line
They regularly walk into danger with their eyes open in order to broadcast to the public exactly what is going on in the war zones of the world, but to what extent have war correspondents helped to shape the history of war?
Indian Contribution to the First World War
Despite past differences and disputes, when Britain went to war in 1914 India didn’t hold a grudge against its former ruler. Instead, a huge army made up entirely of volunteers was swiftly raised to fight for the Allied cause.
Shell Shock Victims WW1 – Diagnosing Shellshock in WWI
In World War One doctors and the government went out of their way to avoid recognising woman shell-shock victims. Admitting to un-British emotional weakness was shameful enough; equating mentally damaged soldiers with women would be too much for them to b
6th August 1914, the HMS Amphion was sunk by a German mine.
The HMS Amphion is notable both for firing the very first shot at sea of the Great War, and for sustaining the first British casualties. Read on to find out more about her eventful first (and last) days of the war.
WW1 Love Letters – World War One Soldier Love Letters
As seen today in the Daily Express and Mail Online, this love letter, written by a WWI soldier shortly before his death in the Arras offensive and donated to our collection by his relatives, was secretly treasured by his wife for over 60 years.
31st July 1917 – The Battle of Passchendaele, AKA Third Battle of Ypres, commenced.
While technically classified as a victory, with Passchendaele village finally falling to the Allies on 6th November 1917, this battle was very costly in terms of men and arms and won little ground. It was also a disaster for the Tank Corps, and saw severa
Stripes Given to Soldiers Returning Home From The Trenches
In the summer of 1916 injured soldiers who returned home for medical treatment were given bronze bars to signify that they have served. Find out why here.
“The man who taught the air forces of the world to fly”
Have you heard the name: Major Robert Smith-Barry? You probably would have if you were around during the First World War because long before the famous Red Bull slogan he gave people…