It is hoped that you will find the materials contained in this teaching pack a useful addition to your resources. Most of the items are actual copies of the originals, which are to be found in the Regimental Archives of The Sherwood Foresters Museum.
This Archive is a collection which has been assembled over many years, and which seeks to preserve and present the history of The Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derbys) Regiment throughout its long and distinguished existence. Your comments on the teaching pack would be appreciated, and we ask that you make use either of the questionnaire, which is to be found at the end of the Teachers Booklet, or the online Feedback form.
The materials contained in this pack are all related in some way to the story of The Great War of 1914-18, particularly on the Western Front, and to the involvement of The Sherwood Foresters Regiment. The contents of the pack may be used to support a variety of classroom activities, and although detailed teaching plans are not included, the background information, together with suggestions for classroom tasks, may be found to be most helpful.
Imagine and record a day in the life of a soldier at the Front during 1914-18
Compose a letter which might have been written by a soldier in The Sherwood Foresters to his family in this country
Write a personal poem based on wartime experiences you have read about.
Research the different ways of remembering those who died in the Great War. This can include War Memorials, Remembrance Day, Soldiers graves and the work of the British and Allied War Graves Commission. Official gravestones for those who died may be found in many local cemeteries and Church graveyards. You may wish to visit the Memorial at Crich in Derbyshire.
Find out about campaign medals of the Great War, especially any that may relate to your own family. Try designing a Great War medal of your own.
Using a modern map of Europe, try to identify sites of important battles and the approximate line of the Western Front through Belgium and France. Using the map in the pack (which you are free to photocopy) identify the locations of as many as possible of the places shown on the various photographs we have provided.
You are encouraged to use the material provided within this pack to the best advantage of your class. However, some of the items are protected by the laws of copyright and are provided here for educational purposes only. They may not be photographed or reproduced by any other means or used for financial gain. In some instances the copyright restrictions have been removed and where this is applicable, the notes on the items are clearly marked stating permission to copy.
The selection of photographs from our archives (many of which may also be found in the archive of the Imperial War Museum), provide a vivid picture of the conditions in which soldiers lived, fought and died. It also shows the impact of the conflict on the communities and countryside of France and Belgium. All the scenes portrayed have connections with one or more of the 17 Battalions of The Sherwood Foresters, which at some time during the Great War were stationed on the Western Front. The photographs provide useful information about the uniform, weapons and equipment of the period.
Many locations relating to events in the Great War can be identified from contemporary maps. They also provide an ongoing picture of events as they were conveyed to the civilian population at that time. Today, some of these sites have been preserved, enabling interested groups to revisit scenes of the Great War.
The casualty list in the Great War was enormous, and had a lasting effect on the life of our country in terms of men killed and severely wounded. The various Battalions of The Sherwood Foresters, 33 in all, lost some 11,409 men killed, the majority of them coming from Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire. (Thousands more were wounded) The project shows how the families were notified and how temporary graves were replaced by more formal cemeteries under the control of the British and Commonwealth War Graves Commission. After the war was over many permanent memorials were erected both at home and abroad. There are also reminders of the development of care for the wounded and the seriously disabled.
The display card provides samples of the badges of both large and small units which were associated with the Great War. Corps provided support of a specialist nature. Several, such as The Tank Corps the Royal Flying Corps and the Army Education Corps grew out of the Great War and have now developed into much larger organisations. Others such as The Army Remount Service remind us of a distant age when horses were extensively used, even in wartime.
The Naval Division was an original way of one section of the armed forces helping another. Sailors were turned into infantry and fought at the Front with the Army. The Artillery proved to be vital in the winning of the war and underwent an enormous expansion. The Infantry, based on a regimental and battalion structure, still had strong local links, and recruiting encouraged volunteers from specific areas to serve together.
In The Sherwood Foresters certain battalions were representative of particular areas of Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire. For example, 1/6th Battalion was formed at Chesterfield and included men from Buxton, Bakewell, Matlock and Ashbourne. The 1/8th Battalion came from the Newark area of Nottinghamshire and included men from Mansfield, Retford, Worksop and Arnold.This method of recruiting created a strong sense of comradeship, which in many cases continued long after the war was over.
Regular contact between frontline troops and their home communities was a feature of the war, and even included National Leaders and The Royal Family. The correspondence often reflected the feelings and humour of that period, providing a fascinating insight into the private lives of those affected by the war.
In the days before Television, when Radio was still in its infancy, newspapers were one of the most important methods of informing the public. The Great War received more media coverage than any previous conflict although frontline reporting was often subject to Military censorship. Contemporary newspapers illustrate how involved the whole nation was in the conflict. BBC and Imperial War Museum
In recent years modern technology has made sound and film material of an earlier age, more accessible to a wider public. As a consequence it provides firsthand accounts of the events of the Great War and those who were directly involved.
The accompanying Video Tape Teachers Notes will help you to identify specific topics that may be of interest. These tapes are, however, copyright and are to be used for teaching purposes only, they may not be reproduced. The subjects covered in the tapes highlight the material of the main teaching pack. For example, the opening section of Voices from The Western Front includes information about the use of Army Film Units who recorded actual battle scenes; the BBC tape 1914-18, The Great War, (pack two) Tape 1 Track 1 Mutiny, includes unique footage of the first attempts to treat battle fatigue, the use of psychotherapy and the beginnings of a rehabilitation programme.
Alongside works from established authors, the Great War produced a wealth of writings from ordinary people in the forces and in civilian life alike. The Sherwood Foresters made their distinctive contribution, and examples are included in the pack. Poetry often revealed the true feelings about war, with a brutal frankness about the world of the battlefield. Famous among wartime publications was Wipers Times, a satirical magazine edited by a Sherwood Forester officer, Lieut Col. F. J. Roberts, M.C. Its attempts to poke fun at a grim situation raised many smiles among frontline troops. This same brand of humour was even reflected among those who became prisoners of war, and the pack includes a POW Magazine copied from the Sherwood Forester Archives.
In addition to the awards which had been made for gallantry in the field, it was decreed that a number of campaign medals should also be awarded to those who had taken part. The three most widely known and issued were those known familiarly as The Trio or Pip, Squeak and Wilfred, after famous cartoon characters of the age. Details of these three are as follows:
Made of bronze to a standard design of a star with an oak wreath symbolizing strength, and crossed swords for valour. The Star was awarded to those who served in the first two years of the war, the 1914 Star being reserved for those in France or Belgium between 5th August and 22nd November 1914. The ribbon of Red White and Blue is based on the national flag.
Made of silver, (some in bronze were issued) it was awarded to all those who served in the Armed Forces in any area of operations during the Great War. In addition to the Army this included the Royal Navy, Royal Flying Corps/RAF and the Merchant Navy. The figure of a mounted St George, symbolizing the allies, is pictured trampling on an eagle shield and a skull and cross bones representing the enemy forces and death.
Is made of yellow bronze. This medal was shared by 14 nations, including Gt Britain and was sometimes known as the Allied War Medal. It portrays the winged figure of Victory. The rainbow coloured ribbon was chosen by the international committee to symbolize hope across the whole world. In addition Great Britain awarded two other medals to participants as follows:-
In bronze, the medal shows a ship on a stormy sea, a sinking submarine and a sailing ship in the distance, the whole surrounded by the laurel wreath of victory. The green and red ribbon was to represent the port and starboard navigation lights of a ship. It was awarded to all Merchant Navy personnel who made at least one voyage under war conditions.
In bronze, it was awarded to those Territorial Forces who had not received the 1914/1914-15 Stars, but who had served abroad during 1914-18. It is inscribed For Voluntary Service Overseas 1914-19.
On War Service Badge worn by civilians engaged in War work.
Imperial Service Badge issued to those of the Territorial Force who volunteered for overseas service.
Services Rendered, more commonly called the Wound Badge, was for those who had served and had been discharged through illness or injury which made them unfit to continue serving. When worn, it prevented a man being given a White Feather for cowardice.
There have been many publications about the Great War, many of them describing the conditions under which combatants lived and died. This especially applies to The Western Front. However, Frank Longson�s account, previously unpublished, is made up of his own reminiscences of his service with his local regiment. The typed extracts (complete with his own original spelling mistakes) provide a vivid account of one mans experiences. The excerpts illustrate the harsh conditions, the grim determination and humour of that period it also underlines how narrow was the dividing line between life and death.
These same comments are also true of the diary of Thomas Duckering. His account highlights the hardships and danger of life on the Western Front. His own regimental duties also give an insight into the enormous task of maintaining supplies and communications for troops in action.
Examples of recruiting publicity used to persuade volunteers to join the ranks of the army. The wording and graphic illustrations often reflect the social pressure used, and the way the conflict was romanticized.
The period of the Great War saw enormous advances in the development of military equipment and weaponry. The use of tanks, heavy artillery and aircraft are three good examples. The box contents also illustrate important changes in personal equipment, especially in the interests of safety. At the outbreak of war most British troops wore their uniform caps as standard headwear, even in battle. The alarming number of head injuries and the appearance of the French steel helmet led the British Army to design one of their own.
The use of poison gas in battle caused alarm, and from the first crude forms of protection the forerunner of the modern gas mask was developed, made possible by the invention of an effective gas filter, produced by Boots the Chemists, of Nottingham.
Bandoliers were a convenient way of carrying personal ammunition.
Useful items were made from salvaged metal and other scrap as a memento of this conflict. They often identified particular battles and well-known sites on the Western Front.
NOTES ON TAPES PRODUCED BY THE BBC
These tapes are for private or educational viewing only and are protected by strict copyright. They may NOT be copied, neither may they be shown for profit. Teachers Notes These tapes contain detailed material on a wide range of subjects. The notes summarise the contents of each track, identifying topics that may be of value for a specific teaching programme. Each pack contains two tapes. In most cases each tape contains two tracks, each 50 minutes long.
PACK ONE - TOTAL WAR
Tape 1 Track 1 Explosion (Time 50 mins)
The beginnings of the war. The roll of the Kaiser. The German arms programme. Technological changes in Western Society. Social unrest and the Suffragette movement. Failed attempts to halt the rush of war. Socialism versus the Ruling Classes in Europe. Unrest in the Balkans leading to the assassination of the Arch-Duke Francis Ferdinand. Austria attacks Serbia. The growth of patriotism as a driving force for war.
Tape 1 Track 2 Beginning of the War (Time 50 mins)
Growing public hysteria. Aug 4th 1914 German invasion of Belgium, report of atrocities; mobilization in Britain. The call for volunteers Kitchener Wants You Recruits aged 19 � 30. French and German forces in conflict, Aug 22nd major French defeat in Alsace-Lorraine. British Expeditionary Force (BEF) leaves for France. Battle of Mons in Belgium. British retreat. Battle of Marne German advance stopped. Stalemate on battle front and beginning of trench warfare. Russian attack from the East poorly trained and equipped troops. Period of `False War Christmas 1914 in the trenches and short cease-fire.
Tape 2 Track 1 A New Kind of War (Time 50 mins)
War in the air, role of civilians, use of gas. Landing in Gallipoli and war against Turkey. Amphibious landing, lack of Artillery and poor planning. Black Sea campaign condemned by Kitchener and evacuation in December 1915. The Civilian war waiting for news of casualties; concept of World War and mobilization of Colonial Forces; women at work munitions and factories, transport, police. Zeppelins and raids on towns. First gas attacks in battle and the concept of `Total War including attacks on civilians. Torpedo attacks on shipping, use of propaganda, genocide campaigns Turkish attacks on Armenians.
Tape 2 Track 2 Trench Warfare (Time 50 mins)
New Year 1916 food rationing, submarine warfare, air raids. General Eric Von Falkenheim and attack on French fortress of Verdun. War of attrition, huge casualties, of French Army involved. Heavy German and French losses. British and Dominion Forces heavily involved major recruiting programme in Britain aimed at local communities, including PALS Battalions. Controversy of `Conscientious Objectors. Haig and the Somme, with British Forces helping the French. July 1st 1916 main infantry attack on the Somme, disastrous casualties. Medical care of injured. Impact of war film The Battle of the Somme on the British cinema audiences seen by 20 million people. Recreation and relaxation at the Front. Easter 1917, successful attacks by Allies using Tanks on Somme (Vimy Ridge) Battle conditions at Messine Ridge, Passchendaele bad weather, cold, mud, rain.
PACK TWO THE CRUCIBLE
Tape 1 Track 1 Mutiny (Time 50 mins)
Why are we fighting? Stalemate in the war at sea at Jutland. Kitchener drowned at sea. Russian army exhausted, a severe winter at the front. Wilfred Owens poem `Living with the Dead. The impact of casualties and injuries the treatment of shellshock based on hospital archives. The development of rehabilitation programme and the use of psychotherapy. Netley Hospital as major military medical centre. Coping with grief. Includes S. Sassoon at Craiglochart Hospital. Arras and the Hindenburg Line. Mutiny in the French Army. Russian casualties reach 2 million � Spring 1917 and the outbreak of the Russian Revolution � collapse of civil order and discipline. Russians declare an Armistice with Germans in December 1917 with loss of Balkan Territories.
Tape 1 Track 2 Collapse (Time 50 mins)
Impact of the war on all combatants huge casualty lists, severe winter rationing danger of starvation, strikes in Germany. The role of the United States of America, Woodrow Wilson, the antiwar President. Zimmerman telegram and German involvement with Mexico against USA. April 1917, America enters the war 5 million men recruited. Problem of American Negro servicemen. Government `Anti-Kaiser propaganda campaign. U Boat War, final German attack on the Western Front, 21st March 1918. Advance against 5th Army with 15 mile progress on Somme Front attacks lose momentum with major German casualties. Lindendorf labelled a failure. August, 1918, Allies launch major counter attack at Amiens. 29th September, General Graigs attacks on major German defences of Hindenberg Line succeed in creating breakthrough use of tanks and aircraft. Total German retreat and collapse of German Society. 11.11.1918 the Armistice announced and Peace is declared.
Tape 2 Track 1 (Only one track on this tape) Legacy (Time 50 mins)
An assessment of the events following the Armistice. Major changes in Russia, Austria and Germany. Lloyd George - `A Continent filled with Hate. Woodrow Wilson and the `League of Nations. Clash of views between Lloyd George and Woodrow Wilson. Many leaders looked to Woodrow Wilson for leadership. Peace Conference in Paris Naval blockade of Germany and her allies continued. Famine in Germany. The Treaty of Versailles carved up Europe, stripped Germany of her Colonies and all her political power Allies exacting revenge. Anarchy in Germany and Adolf Hitler appeared on German political scene. War protest film French `J accuse. Rehabilitation difficult for ex-servicemen, medical care and legacy of disability. First veterans associations. Problem of battlefields and human remains � creation of national cemeteries, War Graves Commission, British Cenotaph Lest we Forget. 1914-18 War prelude to events in 20th Century.