Goodbye to all that? Legacies of the First World War

The Great War. The First World War. The War to End All Wars. The
legacies of the conflict which began in 1914 continued to be felt for
generations after the Armistice on 11 November 1918. This exhibition explores some
of these legacies through the stories of the children, women and men who
experienced the First World War in Leeds, Britain and around the world. These
stories are told through objects, photographs and letters housed in Special
Collections at Leeds University Library. 

Curator introductions from Alex Shaw and Eilis Boyle Eilis Boyle on The BlackburnsOriginal source: University of Leeds Special Collections

Photo of Ernest Blackburn (1916)Original source: University of Leeds Special Collections

The Blackburns

Ernest was born in Wakefield in 1885. He trained as a teacher, and later became the Assistant Master at the Council School in Upper Wortley, Leeds. Ernest married Sarah Annie Smith in 1912 and the couple moved to a house in Armley, Leeds. In 1915 they welcome their first child, a son named Stanley. The Military Service Act was passed in Britain in 1916, introducing mandatory enlistment for single men aged 18-40. Later this was extended to include married men too. 

Locket depicting Ernest BlackburnOriginal source: University of Leeds Special Collections

Three months after Stanley’s first birthday, Ernest was conscripted into the British army, and drafted into the King’s Royal Rifle Corps. Whilst training in England, he confided in Sarah that he did not intend to go to France if he could help it. Despite his wish, Ernest’s battalion was ordered to France a few months later, and he assured her that “when the war is over, well we will have a time … Think of the many many happy times we have had … I love you yet as much as ever, and we shall be allright some day”. He signed the letter from “your loving husband” and asked her to “kiss our Stanley”.

Photo of Sarah Blackburn with son Stanley (1916)Original source: University of Leeds Special Collections

On the 13 September 1916, having been in France for just two weeks, Ernest sent his wife a postcard, reassuring her of his safety and wellbeing. He was declared missing just two days later, after his battalion was engaged in fighting in the Somme region.

Ernest Blackburn's Commemoration Scroll (1918)Original source: University of Leeds Special Collections

Ernest was reported missing on 15 September 1916. His wife received notice of his death eight months after his disappearance. Sarah was pregnant with her second child when she heard the news of her husband’s disappearance. She received multiple letters offering support and sympathy from relatives, members of the local community, and her husband’s former colleagues.

Ernest’s brothers wrote extensively to the War Office in an attempt to trace his whereabouts. Lists and photographs of missing men were also sent abroad, to places like Geneva, and published in newspapers in attempts to trace them. The official responses from the War Office were infrequent, vague and frustrating for relatives anxious for answers. They could wait months for any information.

Tragically, Ernest’s family, like many families across the globe, never learned what happened to their missing relative. His body was never recovered, and in March 1917, six months after he was declared missing, the family received a letter from the British Red Cross informing them that Ernest’s name had been printed amongst a list of the dead in The Times that month.

Ernest Blackburn's Certificate of Death (1917)Original source: University of Leeds Special Collections

Upon hearing the news of her husband’s death, Sarah went into premature labour. She gave birth to her second son, whom she named Ernest in honour of the father he would never meet.

Ernest Blackburn's memorial plaque (1919)Original source: University of Leeds Special Collections

The War Office sent this bronze memorial plaque to commemorate the family’s loss.

Memorial plaques like this one were issued to the next-of-kin of deceased soldiers throughout Britain and the Dominions, and were commonly referred to as the ‘Dead Man’s Penny.'

Letters from Lily Dawes to Sarah Blackburn Letter 1, page 1Original source: University of Leeds Special Collections

In March 1917 Lily Daws wrote to Sarah Blackburn after seeing news of Ernest Blackburn’s death in a local newspaper. Lily, like Sarah, was from Leeds, and their husbands had fought together in the King’s Royal Rifle Corps and been declared missing on the same day. After hearing no news of her husband’s fate from the authorities, Lily sought advice from a stranger whose situation she empathised with.

Lily reached out to Sarah, explaining that “the suspense is becoming more than I can bear … I’ve been hoping against hope that my husband might be a prisoner of war … it seems too cruel for words that us women should give our men and never get the satisfaction of knowing what becomes of them … we are told to believe that everything is done for the best but it’s hard to think so at the time - when we women have to face blows like these”.

Letters from Lily Dawes to Sarah Blackburn Letter 1, page 3Original source: University of Leeds Special Collections

She closed the letter by mentioning the regiment their husbands fought in, explaining that “I hate the name of that regiment now”. These letters give an insight into the torturous anxieties faced by those left at home who were forced to wait helplessly for news from overseas. Whilst missing service-personnel could sometimes be discovered alive, for example as prisoners of war, in many cases families were left to imagine the fate of loved ones who were eventually declared “missing, presumed dead”. In these cases they had no body, grave, or personnel effects to grieve over, no knowledge of the circumstances or the exact location of a soldier’s death, or whether they had suffered.

Letters from Lily Dawes to Sarah Blackburn Letter 2, page 1Original source: University of Leeds Special Collections

The wait was often accompanied by practical and financial worries in the absence of the family breadwinner. Although there was a pension scheme, widows could find themselves in dire financial straits following the death of a husband.

Letters from Lily Dawes to Sarah Blackburn Letter 2, page 2Original source: University of Leeds Special Collections

These letters, sent between strangers, also demonstrate the informal networks which developed amongst civilians who were frustrated with wartime bureaucracy. Civilians relied on one another for information, advice, and support, forming communities of grief based on their shared experiences of loss.

Photograph of Thiepval MemorialOriginal source: University of Leeds Special Collections

The Thiepval Memorial

The Thiepval Memorial was built to commemorate men of the British and South African forces who were killed in the Somme region prior to March 1918, and for whom there was no known grave. Men like Ernest Blackburn. The memorial features the names of over 72,000 men, most of whom died during the 1916 Somme offensive.   Photographs, such as the one shown here, were sent to relatives of the deceased, who had no other physical site of mourning. The photograph was accompanied by a demand for payment to reimburse the costs of its production and dissemination. Unsurprisingly, this provoked anger and resentment amongst many grieving relatives.

Douglas McIntyre's 1967 reunion Christmas card (1967)Original source: University of Leeds Special Collections

Lance Corporal Douglas McIntyre

These objects show the participation of one soldier, Douglas McIntyre, in public forms of commemoration. Born in Gateshead, Douglas was a Lance Corporal in the First Northern Cyclist Battalion and later the King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. 

An original remembrance programme An original remembrance programme (1921)Original source: University of Leeds Special Collections

Bicycle infantrymen such as Douglas were primarily engaged in reconnaissance or message carrying, but could also provide mobile firepower. Recruitment posters targeted men who were already keen cyclists. After the war, Douglas kept in touch with his old comrades. He helped organise annual reunions on Armistice Day, the last of which was held in 1974.

Douglas McIntyre's 1969 reunion Christmas card (1969)Original source: University of Leeds Special Collections

Douglas McIntyre's 1971 reunion Christmas card (1971)Original source: University of Leeds Special Collections

Douglas McIntyre's trench biscuit Douglas McIntyre's trench biscuitOriginal source: University of Leeds Special Collections

War souvenirs 

Many soldiers kept war souvenirs as private mementos. Cyclist-soldier Douglas McIntyre chose to keep his wartime razor, a cigarette case given as a Christmas present by his commander, and the first biscuit he received in the trenches. 

Douglas McIntyre's trench biscuit OpenOriginal source: University of Leeds Special Collections

This collection of memorabilia helps us understand how one soldier chose to remember his wartime experience. Douglas’ souvenirs reflect the mundanity and everyday aspects of life in the trenches. Rather than eat this unappetising-looking hard biscuit, he sent it home to his mother to keep as a souvenir.

Douglas McIntyre's Razor (1915)Original source: University of Leeds Special Collections

He also chose to keep his razor, which he notes served him well throughout the entire war, and a silver cigarette case which was a Christmas present from his commanding officer in 1915.

Douglas McIntyre's Cigarette Case Douglas McIntyre's Cigarette CaseOriginal source: University of Leeds Special Collections

Together these objects remind us of the relationships which were important to soldiers on the Western Front: the bonds they created with their comrades, and their family ties back home.

George Frederick Shaw's Manchester Peace Mug George Frederick Shaw's Manchester Peace MugOriginal source: University of Leeds Special Collections

Peace mugs

The Armistice and the signing of the Treaty of Versailles ended the war on the Western Front. Although later years would see more sombre commemorations, at the time these events were often celebrated jubilantly. People bought souvenirs such as these peace mugs. Even though they all serve a common purpose of commemoration, these three mugs are quite different. One shows the flags of Britain and its allies flanking an image of Britannia. This is a very patriotic image, emphasising the role played by Britain in bringing peace back to the world. The mug was presented by the City of Manchester to George Frederick Shaw, a returned soldier.

A peace mug memento for children A peace mug memento for children (1919)Original source: University of Leeds Special Collections

This mug shows the portraits of the victorious leaders of the British Army and Royal Navy. Designed for children as a “memento of the Great War” this mug notes the dates of both the armistice in November 1918 and the signing of the peace treaty with Germany in June 1919. It is important to remember that the war did not end neatly on 11 November 1918. In some parts of the world conflict continued for some years to come, and the processes of demobilisation, prisoner repatriation, and refugee rehabilitation were often lengthy.

Peace mug presented to the school children of Cardiff Peace mug presented to the school children of CardiffOriginal source: University of Leeds Special Collections

Using similar imagery to its counterparts, the third mug specifically commemorates the Armistice, and was presented to a school in Cardiff.

Trench art tank Trench art tank (1914/1918)Original source: University of Leeds Special Collections

Trench Art 

This tank was probably made by a member of the Chinese Labour Corps working at the Western Front. Trench art was usually made from debris such as shell casings. Although testament to individual artistic skill, it also recalls the brutal realities of war. “Trench art” is not only an expression of creativity, but is also an object of cultural memory. These objects show how soldiers visualised their own experiences, what aspects of wartime life they chose to give permanent expression to, and are reminiscent of the material environment in which they lived. They can serve as reminders of the harsh truth of destruction, of bullets and artillery, but also of the quiet moments on the frontline, when soldiers had time to find and create beauty.   

Trench art tank Side viewOriginal source: University of Leeds Special Collections

Not much is known about the history of this tank. It is believed to have been made by a member of the Chinese Labour Corps out of old shell casings and other war debris. From 1916, Britain and France recruited labourers from neutral China to free up their own soldiers for fighting duties. Their tasks were diverse - from repairing tanks to digging trenches, from laying railways to unloading ships.

Trench art tank Front viewOriginal source: University of Leeds Special Collections

Around 96,000 Chinese volunteers served in the First World War. They remained until 1920, exhuming bodies from battlefield burials to be moved to specially created war cemeteries, and carrying out the dangerous work of clearing live ordnance.

Sidney Charles Marriott's compass Sidney Charles Marriott's compass (1915/1918)Original source: University of Leeds Special Collections

Lieutenant Colonel Sidney Charles Marriott

Lieutenant Colonel Sidney Charles Marriott kept these objects to remember his experiences. Sidney was a battalion commander with the King’s Liverpool Regiment on the Western Front. Rapidly promoted from Captain through Major to Lieutenant Colonel, Sidney was later transferred to other units including the Sussex and Manchester Regiments. This broken compass saved Sidney’s life by stopping a German bullet which otherwise may have killed him. 

A lump of granite from Ypres Cathedral (1915/1918)Original source: University of Leeds Special Collections

This small chunk of granite is from the ruins of St. Martin’s Cathedral in Ypres which was heavily damaged during the war. From the end of the war to the present day, Ypres has been a major site of First World War pilgrimage and tourism. This souvenir serves as a reminder that it was also a place of great significance for many of those who served on the Western Front from 1914.

Queen's Hotel - Peace Dinner Menu Queen's Hotel - Peace Dinner Menu (1919)Original source: University of Leeds Special Collections

After the war ended, Sidney attended a peace dinner at the Queen’s Hotel next to Leeds railway station. Here you can see the menu, consisting of delicacies including grilled turbot, saddle of lamb and chicken casserole. Such a rich menu would have been beyond the dreams of most soldiers used to bully beef and trench biscuits.

Thomas Harold Parkinson's Cigarette Case Thomas Harold Parkinson's Cigarette Case (1914/1918)Original source: University of Leeds Special Collections

The Blighty Girls 

The Blighty Girls of Kirkby Stephen in Cumbria saved funds to buy a silver cigarette case for each returning soldier as a show of gratitude. This case was given to Thomas Harold Parkinson, whose sister Rhoda was one of the Blighty Girls.   

Thomas Harold Parkinson's Cigarette Case ClosedOriginal source: University of Leeds Special Collections

The Kirkby Stephen Blighty Girls were a group of young ladies who started a fund in 1917 for the purpose of welcoming local servicemen when they came home on leave.

Thomas Harold Parkinson's Cigarette Case OpenOriginal source: University of Leeds Special Collections

They organised entertainments such as whist games, dances and concerts, which continued as the men started to be demobilised. In 1920, the Blighty Girls presented each returning soldier, sailor and airman with a silver cigarette case. They also gave silver photograph frames to the widows and mothers of those who had died in the war as a show of gratitude for their husband or son’s sacrifice.

Photo of Thomas Harold Parkinson (1914/1918)Original source: University of Leeds Special Collections

Thomas had a different war experience from the well-known image of the trenches on the Western Front. Having previously worked as a printer, he was a member of the Territorial Force and so was immediately called up in August 1914.

Thomas served in varied locations including Burma and Mesopotamia, where he worked with the barge workshops of the Army Service Corps.

Returning Service men with the 'Blighty Girls' of Kirkby Stephen Returning Service men with the 'Blighty Girls' of Kirkby StephenOriginal source: University of Leeds Special Collections

In the group photograph, you can see returning soldiers posing with their wives, sisters and mothers back home. Interestingly, all the men are wearing civilian clothing, making it difficult to distinguish veterans from their fathers or brothers who remained at home.

Returning Service men with the 'Blighty Girls' of Kirkby Stephen FrontOriginal source: University of Leeds Special Collections

Thomas and his sister Rhoda are both marked with an “X”.

Ann Denison of Wetherby's mourning attire All mourning itemsOriginal source: University of Leeds Special Collections

Mourning 

Mourning fashion was a part of grieving rituals. Veils, armbands, and memorial pins served as highly visible markers of loss. Ann Denison of Wetherby wore these items after the deaths of her grandson, Private Montague Brayshaw, in 1916 and daughter, nurse Florence Denison, in 1917. Montague Vivian Brayshaw, known as Monty, died on 5 October 1916, aged 23. Monty, a Private in the Yorkshire Hussars Yeomanry, was struck by a shell near Arras. Before the war Monty had lived and worked at his family’s farm in Kirkby Overblow, Yorkshire. His father died in 1905 and whilst Monty’s mother had remarried in 1914, she sadly died in June 1916, just four months before her son.  

Ann Denison of Wetherby's mourning attire Mourning veilOriginal source: University of Leeds Special Collections

The war years were plagued with tragedy for Ann Denison. She had lost her daughter (Monty’s mother, Laura) in 1916, closely followed by her grandson, and just three months after Monty’s death, Ann lost another daughter, Florence.

Ann Denison of Wetherby's mourning attire Mourning scarfOriginal source: University of Leeds Special Collections

Florence Denison was a VAD nurse working in London when she contracted a fatal illness in January 1917, aged 45. Her funeral was covered in the Harrogate Herald who quoted the vicar’s comment that “she for whom we mourn is entirely a victim of this terrible war as any soldier who falls in the trenches”.

Ann Denison of Wetherby's mourning attire Mourning armletsOriginal source: University of Leeds Special Collections

Another of Ann’s grandsons, Geoffrey, was wounded at the Battle of Loos in 1915. Geoffrey received a gun-shot wound to the hand which left him with a life-long injury. Ann Denison’s family, therefore, paid a very high price during the First World War, losing three relatives in the space of seven months. The mourning garments displayed here would have been worn by Ann to mark the deathes of both her grandson and her daughter, who lost their lives as a result of the conflict.

Credits: Story

This exhibition was originally on show at the Treasures of the Brotherton Gallery, University of Leeds, from 31 August 2018 - 31 January 2019. The exhibition was co curated by PhD researchers Eilis Boyle and Alexander Shaw with Professor Alison Fell.

https://library.leeds.ac.uk/galleries

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The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions (listed below) who have supplied the content.
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Commemorating the end of the First World War
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