The Great War The First World War 1914 - 1916 Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori “It is sweet and glorious to die for one’s country.”

“The war will be over by Christmas…” JOINING UP… “The war will be over by Christmas…” But it wasn’t and by 1915 – a huge majority of the army had been wiped out. Lord Kitchener (who was the Minister of War) issued a huge campaign to ENCOURAGE men to join up…

Men felt it was their duty to help their country They were full of pride and patriotism Men in the most depressing jobs such as mines or factories couldn’t wait to enlist: They thought that the war meant a new life for them, new opportunities to travel the world, fresh air and good companionship. The army sounded GLAMOUROUS! Many men were afraid the war would be over before they could play their part.

© IWM Q 743 10th Battalion, East Yorkshire Regiment (Hull Commercials) In some places ‘Pal’s Battalions’ were created - this was when all the men in a firm, street or village joined up together after being promised they would serve in the same unit. Though popular if the Pal’s Battalion suffered heavy casualties it could seriously affect the local community.

There were restrictions to joining though and many were left disappointed… You had to pass a medical You had to have a chest that measured 32 inches (82cm) You had to be taller than 5 foot 3 inches (160cm) You had to have good physical health You had to be 18 years old or over

Many boys lied about their age and went off to war…

Real stories… Boys would be turned down for being too young. Sometimes they would be told by the recruitment officer to go outside and come back in with a different story. Some boys/men put newspaper in their boots so they were the correct height Lying about their age was extremely common. Joining up with all their friends was also important. Some 250,000 boys under the age of 19 eventually served in the armed forces. The youngest was only 12 years old.

LO: To write an account of ‘signing up’… Honour patriotic Pride chance to do something worthwhile For King and Country Serve with pride Willing ‘do my bit’

Joining up… It was all the folk in my village had talked about for days. Joining up. Men, who were not much older than boys, queued up for the chance to serve our great country. I was just 17 and by law not yet old enough to be a recruit but all my friends were desperate to go, so I followed them. I’d never left the comfort of my sleepy village and this was my opportunity to see the world, smell the sweet fresh air of France and have a jolly time with my pals.

The line got shorter and shorter and so I reached the front The line got shorter and shorter and so I reached the front. I filled out my forms, lying about my age and puffing my chest out to make me look bigger than I actually was. I stood on my tiptoes to reach the required height and they passed me without a thought. That was it. In a matter of minutes I had signed my life away to my country and although I was not yet 18, I felt like a man. I was proud to fight for my country and excited about the glory of my life as a soldier…