World War 1
This topic includes poetry written by local men about the experience of war. From the archives a letter and photographs depict what life was like in the trenches. Photographs of munition workers and football players show how life changed for women.
Below are a series of learning resources created from documents held at Northumberland Archives. They include suggested activities from a range of subjects including STEM, arts and humanities.
Resources are available to download in Word and PDF format.
Documents
Printed recruitment poster showing slogans regarding sinking of the Lusitania, 1915
Suggested age groups: KS3, KS4, Lifelong Learners
Includes slogans about German atrocities.
Subject areas: History, Literacy, Art
Photograph of a soldier and his family, no date (1914-1918)
Suggested age groups: KS1, KS2, KS3, KS4, Lifelong Learners
Keepsake picture of Royal Engineer, wife and children.
Subject areas: History, Literacy, Maths
Photograph of Northumberland Fusiliers in the trenches, 1915
Suggested age groups: KS1, KS2, KS3, KS4, Lifelong Learners
Series of pictures showing soldiers living in the trenches.
Subject areas: History, Literacy, Geography
Letter from Robert Oakley Vavasour Thorp to his father, 31 December 1915
Suggested age groups: KS3, KS4, Lifelong Learners
Letter from soldier about living in the trenches.
Subject areas: History, Literacy, Music
The Fear, Hill Born and Victory – Poems by Wilfrid Wilson Gibson
Suggested age groups: KS2, KS3, KS4, Lifelong Learners
War poetry—three poems written from the point of view of a soldier at the front
Subject areas: History, Literacy, Art, Music
Raining, Nightmare and Back – Poems by Wilfrid Wilson Gibson
Suggested age groups: KS2, KS3, KS4, Lifelong Learners
War poetry—three poems linking the trenches with home.
Subject areas: History, Literacy, Art, Music
The Lusitania’s Fate – Poem by Thomas Grey, 1915
Suggested age groups: KS3, KS4, Lifelong Learners
Poem about the sinking of the Lusitania.
Subject areas: History, Literacy, Art
Piper Laidlaw, VC – Poem by Thomas Grey, 1915
Suggested age groups: KS2, KS3, KS4, Lifelong Learners
Poem about winning of the Victoria Cross.
Subject areas: History, Literacy, Art, Music
What Will the Angels Think? – Poem by Thomas Grey, 1914
Suggested age groups: KS2, KS3, KS4, Lifelong Learners
Poem about the bombing of Hartlepool.
Subject areas: History, Literacy, Geography, Art
Northumberland 1914-1918, Poem and Illustration
Suggested age groups: KS2, KS3, KS4, Lifelong Learners
Part of the poem “The Old and the Bold” by Sir Henry Newbold.
Subject areas: History, Literacy, Art
Photographs of women munition workers, about 1915-19
Suggested age groups: KS1, KS2, KS3, KS4, Lifelong Learners
Pictures of women who made bombs during the war.
Subject areas: History, Literacy, Biology, Art
Photograph of three women’s football teams, 1921
Suggested age groups: KS1, KS2, KS3, KS4, Lifelong Learners
Pictures of women’s football teams.
Subject areas: Literacy, Citizenship, Physical Education
Photograph of three Voluntary Aid Detachment volunteers, 1914-18
Suggested age groups: KS1, KS2, KS3, KS4, Lifelong Learners
Pictures of women who volunteered with Saint John’s Ambulance Brigade.
Subject areas: History, Literacy, Art
Photograph of Women’s Land Army, about 1917-19
Suggested age groups: KS1, KS2, KS3, KS4, lifelong learners
Pictures of women who volunteered to work in agriculture.
Subject areas: History, Literacy, Geography, Art & Design
Ration books and tokens, 1918
Suggested age groups: KS1, KS2, KS3, KS4, lifelong learners
Ration cards and coupons used to buy goods during the war.
Subject areas: History, Maths, Literacy, Biology, Citizenship, Cookery, Art