Era of the Great War Casualties and deaths

In today’s class I am learning to: Casualties and deaths In today’s class I am learning to: Describe the numbers and types of deaths during the Great War Describe the impact of deaths and injuries from during the war

Casualties and deaths The Great War lasted from 1914 until 1918. During that period it is estimated that around 40 million people as a result of the war’s events.

Casualties and deaths During the war the British Empire (Britain and other member countries) had just under nine million military men (soldiers, etc). Of these, around 900,000 were killed and more than two million were wounded.

Casualties and deaths British troops alone accounted for 700,000 of these deaths, meaning roughly one in every nine British soldiers died. It is believed that at least 100,000 Scottish soldiers died, although some people claim the figure is much higher.

Casualties and deaths In 2018 a Scottish Parliament project named all Scottish men and women killed during the conflict. This included military deaths but also covered nurses and munitions workers. The number of names was 134, 712.

Germany and Austria- Hungary both had around seven million casualties. Casualties and deaths The country with most military casualties during the war was Russia with more than nine million men killed, injured or taken prisoner. Germany and Austria- Hungary both had around seven million casualties.

Almost 17,000 British civilians died as a result of the war. Casualties and deaths Almost 17,000 British civilians died as a result of the war. This was sometimes because they worked at the Front (as nurses, for example), but also due to German zeppelin attacks on Britain, or sinking passenger ships.

Casualties and deaths By the end of the war, almost everyone in Britain knew or was related to at least one person that was killed. This caused devastation across the country, and on occasion even saw most young men from single villages killed.

Casualties and deaths Families that lost loved ones obviously had to live with terrible grief. Deaths could also cause other problems, such as if the dead man had been the only worker in the household, possibly leading to poverty for the remaining family.

Casualties and deaths Military men that were injured also faced problems on their return to Britain. Some could no longer work, forcing them into poverty. Others found themselves by people that did not like the sight of their injuries.

Casualties and deaths If a man was killed in war, his family would usually be sent a telegram informing them of this. Sometimes the dead man’s commanding officer or a friend might also write a letter to the man’s family.

Casualties and deaths Cities, towns and villages had their own way of commemorating their war dead. Some of them built war memorials, which named all of the war dead. Other groups – like schools – posted a roll of honour with names.

Casualties and deaths At 11am on 11 November 1918, the fighting in the Great War came to an end. As such, from 1919 onwards, 11 November became a national Remembrance Day (later becoming Remembrance Sunday).