Read this article to learn about the Newhaven Port during the First World War. Before the outbreak of the First World War, Newhaven was a key point in travel between Britain and Europe. Newhaven was the departure port for the railway and steamship link from London to Dieppe. Passengers could ride the train down from […]
Read this article to learn about the town of New Anzac-on-Sea. The creation and name of the modern south coast town of Peacehaven are heavily connected to the events of the First World War. The town was originally planned as a ‘Garden City by the Sea’ by its founder, the businessman and entrepreneur, Charles Neville. […]
Read this article to learn about Cooden Camp in the First World War. Cooden Camp was a military training camp established in Bexhill at the start of the war. The early occupants of the camp were housed in tents in the Lower Camp near the parade ground, whilst wooden huts were constructed in the Upper Camp at the end […]
Read this article to learn about West Indian soldiers in the First World War. West Indian and African soldiers provided much needed manpower in fighting the First World War but also faced extreme prejudice. When war was declared in 1914, the West Indies offered to send contingents of men to fight alongside Britain. The British […]
Read this article to learn about Indian soldiers in the First World War. At the outbreak of the First World War, the Indian Army numbered 240,000 men; by 1918 it had grown to nearly 550,000. Most recruits came from the north of India, especially the Punjab. The Indian army at the time was made up […]
Read this article to learn about Chinese Labourers in the First World War. 1915 was the worst year of the war for Britain and France. The British Army had suffered many casualties in previous battles and the war seemed no closer to ending. At the start of 1916, the British Army needed men so much […]
Read this article to learn about Pauline Page Whitney – The Angel of Summerdown. During the First World War some soldiers received wounds that needed special treatment in order to heal or to recover from. To help them recover, special camps were created around the country. Summerdown Camp was built near Eastbourne in the South Downs, and […]
Read this article to learn about Gertrude Coggins who worked as a ticket collector at Brighton Station. When men left Brighton and Hove to join the army and navy, many jobs and businesses became short staffed. As a result new job opportunities opened up for women. Gertrude was able to leave her work as a domestic servant and […]
Read this article to learn about the Women’s Land Army. During the First World War, Britain faced the risk of starvation. Huge numbers of men had joined the army and, as a result, there were not enough men to work as farmers. Meanwhile German U-Boats sank ships in the Atlantic in a bid to prevent […]
Read this article to learn about why children gathered conkers during the First World War. On 30 January 1917, Mr Haylock the headmaster at Willingdon School wrote an entry in his school’s: ‘Sent off today 3 bushels of horse chestnuts gathered by children for the Minister of Munitions.’ Over the previous weeks there were notes in […]
