By Des Quinn and Martin Williams Part II

Private Tom Notley Tom was from the Rhondda. Tom was very young when he joined up. What job do you think that Tom did before he joined up? Give reasons for your answer. Clue: What is the Rhondda famous for? Image courtesy of Des Quinn Information on the raising of Battalions

10 th and 13 th Welsh Regiments = 1 st and 2 nd Battalion Rhondda Pals. Lord Kitchener was a famous British General during the Boer War. He became Secretary for War and wanted to raise a new army. This army became known as Kitchener’s Army. All the men within Kitchener’s Army were volunteers. Each Battalion that was raised was linked to the local regiment of the area. For example in Glamorgan they were attached to the Welsh Regiment. Good examples of this were the 10 th Battalion The Welsh Regiment (1 st Rhondda) and the 11 th Battalion (Cardiff Commercials/Cardiff Pals). A second Rhondda Battalion was raised and became the 13 th Welsh Regiment.

Can you find Private Tom Notley in this group photograph? Why do you think that the Rhondda was able to raise two battalions (over 2,000 men)? Think about: The local area, religion, mining conditions, wages, social life…

What is the name of this young soldier? Are there any clues to tell us which regiment he was in? Clue: Look at what he is carrying and what is on his feet? His cap badge may help too. Image courtesy of Torfaen Museum Trust

Highlight and discuss what you can see. Which army and battalion do you think this soldier was part of? Does the uniform and equipment differ from that of the other soldiers that you have seen? Image courtesy of Des Quinn

Highlight and discuss what you can see. Which army and battalion do you think this soldier was part of? Does the uniform and equipment differ from that of the other soldiers that you have seen? What does this photograph tell us about the ages of many of the soldiers who fought with the German Army? Image courtesy of Des Quinn

Image courtesy of Keith Strange How old was this soldier of the 18 th battalion when he died? The youngest recorded soldier to die on the Western Front was fourteen years old. Many soldiers lied about their age when joining up. Many young men, particularly during the early years of the war, ended up in font line trenches. Roughly, how old would he have been when war broke out?

Examples Why did so many young men go to war between ?

Why did so many young men go to war between ? Chance to be with ‘Pals’ Chance to travel (see new places) Shortage of men at the Front Excitement Few job opportunities at home

E. Jones (2215), Monmouthshire Regiment, 1915, Ypres (Menin Gate Memorial) B. Jones (11458), Royal Welsh Fusiliers, 1915, (Le Touret Memorial) J.Williamson (198), 1914, Royal Garrison Artillery, Cardiff (Cathays Park) F. Evans (15915), 1915, Royal Scots Fusiliers, Boulogne Eastern Cemetery J. Harris (9785), 1915, South Staffordshire Regiment, Alexandria Cemetery Here are some other names and details that you may like to enter in to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website: You may be surprised by some of the ages – both young and old. END

Private Tom Notley Tom was from the Rhondda. Tom was very young when he joined up. What job do you think that Tom did before he joined up? Give reasons for your answer. Clue: What is the Rhondda famous for? Image courtesy of Des Quinn

10 th and 13 th Welsh Regiments = 1 st and 2 nd Battalion Rhondda Pals. Lord Kitchener was a famous British General during the Boer War. He became Secretary for War and wanted to raise a new army. This army became known as Kitchener’s Army. All the men within Kitchener’s Army were volunteers. Each Battalion that was raised was linked to the local regiment of the area. For example in Glamorgan they were attached to the Welsh Regiment. Good examples of this were the 10 th Battalion The Welsh Regiment (1 st Rhondda) and the 11 th Battalion (Cardiff Commercials/Cardiff Pals). A second Rhondda Battalion was raised and became the 13 th Welsh Regiment.

Can you find Private Tom Notley in this group photograph? Why do you think that the Rhondda was able to raise two battalions (over 2,000 men)? Think about: The local area, religion, mining conditions, wages, social life…

What is the name of this young soldier? Are there any clues to tell us which regiment he was in? Clue: Look at what he is carrying and what is on his feet? His cap badge may help too. Image courtesy of Torfaen Museum Trust

Highlight and discuss what you can see. Which army and battalion do you think this soldier was part of? Does the uniform and equipment differ from that of the other soldiers that you have seen? Image courtesy of Des Quinn

Highlight and discuss what you can see. Which army and battalion do you think this soldier was part of? Does the uniform and equipment differ from that of the other soldiers that you have seen? Image courtesy of Des Quinn What does this photograph tell us about the ages of many of the soldiers who fought with the German Army?

Image courtesy of Keith Strange How old was this soldier of the 18 th battalion when he died? The youngest recorded soldier to die on the Western Front was fourteen years old. Many soldiers lied about their age when joining up and many, particularly during the early years of the war, ended up in trenches. Roughly, how old would he have been when war broke out?

Examples Why did so many young men go to war between ?

Why did so many young men go to war between ? Chance to be with ‘Pals’ Chance to travel (see new places) Shortage of men at the Front Excitement Few job opportunities at home

E. Jones (2215), Monmouthshire Regiment, 1915, Ypres (Menin Gate Memorial) B. Jones (11458), Royal Welsh Fusiliers, 1915, (Le Touret Memorial) J.Williamson (198), 1914, Royal Garrison Artillery, Cardiff (Cathays Park) F. Evans (15915), 1915, Royal Scots Fusiliers, Boulogne Eastern Cemetery J. Harris (9785), 1915, South Staffordshire Regiment, Alexandria Cemetery END Here are some other names and details that you may like to enter in to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website: You may be surprised by some of the ages – both young and old.