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Lions of the Great War: Exploring the History and Impact of WWI

Uncover the significance of lion symbolism during WWI through a postcard message and explore the cemeteries and soldiers of the Ypres Salient on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website.

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Lions of the Great War: Exploring the History and Impact of WWI

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  1. Image used courtesy of the Boots Group Archive

  2. What do you notice about the lion’s mane? What is the message of this postcard that was produced during the Great War of 1914-1918? This may help… Image used courtesy of the Boots Group Archive

  3. Reproduced with the kind permission of: The Western Mail and Echo Ltd. August 3rd, 1914 New Zealand Australia South Africa Canada CUBS OF THE OLD LION “This England never did, nor never shall, Lie at the proud foot of the conqueror… Come the three corners of the world in arms, And we shall shock them. Nought shall make us rue, If England to itself do rest but true.” - “King John.” It is reported that from all our colonies come offers of assistance to the Mother Country should England become involved in war.

  4. An investigation: Why has The Great War of 1914-1918 been termed a World War? Martin Williams and Neil Bartley

  5. The cemeteries that have been used as the basis of this study are all in Belgium. They are located along the Ypres Salient*. This area is famous for the intensity of fighting that took place there throughout the First World War. Three major battles took place here during the war. The First Battle of Ypres took place in 1914 and The Second Battle of Ypres in 1915. The most dramatic offensive however started on 31stJuly 1917. This was the Third Battle of Ypres (Passchendaele). This battle alone, which lasted from July to November and accounted for approximately 310,000 Allied and 260,000 German casualties. * Salient means to stick out, to be prominent. In this case it was where military positions projected into the positions of the enemy along a wide area.

  6. www.cwgc.org To begin the search you need to be logged on to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website.

  7. In the Debt of Honour Register search box, you will need to enter the details of the soldier that you are researching. These details are on the gravestones you are about to see.

  8. Once the details have been entered, press Search and you should be presented with a list of soldiers with that name. Make sure that your soldier is from the correct cemetery.

  9. Make sure that you are logged onto the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Website Home Page: www.cwgc.org Using your instruction sheet and the maps and worksheets provided gather as much information as you can about the individual soldiers selected for study. Your teacher may ask you to carry out additional research upon one or more of these soldiers and the Regiments that they belonged to. Website links to further information have been provided for you.

  10. This gravestone is amongst 10,751 other graves of identified soldiers who lost their lives in this area near Poperinge, Belgium between 1915 -1919. Lijssenthoek Cemetery is the second largest Commonwealth cemetery in Belgium. Log on to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website and start your investigation with this soldier from the South Wales Borderers. Can’t read it? Click here.

  11. For more information upon the South Wales Borderers you may like to visit: www.rrw.org.uk This is the official site of The Royal Regiment of Wales. Here you will find a brief history of the regiment. www.1914-1918.net/swb.htm Here you will find a break down of the different battalions that made up The South Wales Borderers, where they formed and what became of them. Links are provided to further information upon battles fought. www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~dccfarr/3rd%20Ypres.htm This page gives information upon the 38th(Welsh) Divisions involvement during the Third Battle of Ypres, July 1917.

  12. 29040 Lance CPL I. Prince. MM. South Wales Borderers 22ndOctober 1918

  13. This gravestone is also found amongst the 10,751 other graves at Lijssenthoek Cemetery. Enter the details for this soldier who was part of the Machine Gun Corps (Infantry) and find out where he was originally from. This soldier died, probably due to action during the later phases of the Third Battle of Ypres. Just one month after his death his company was posted to Italy. Can’t read it? Click here.

  14. The machine gun was a devastating weapon. It was responsible for the slaughter of millions of soldiers who tried to make their way across area between enemy trenches known as No-Man’s-Land. This area was often water-logged, full of shell craters and barbed wire which slowed the advancing soldiers down. All Commonwealth infantry battalions had at least two machine guns in 1914. This increased to four in early 1915. The British used Vickers machine guns, but as the war gathered pace this company found it difficult to keep up with demand. The B.E.F. was short of 237 guns by July 1915 and orders for more guns had to be placed with companies in the U.S.A. For more information upon the Machine Gun Corps you may like to visit: www.1914-1918.net/mgc.htm This site provides a history of the Machine Gun Corps during World War One. The information includes the types of machine guns used and tactics employed.

  15. 108725 Private L.G. Cannell Machine Gun Corps INF. 9thNovember 1917 Age 20

  16. Another gravestone from Lijssenthoek Cemetery. This soldier belonged to the 3rdNew Zealand Rifle Brigade. He also died in November 1917, yet he belonged to a different Regiment from the previous soldier studied. What does this tell you about military action within this area during this month? Can’t read it? Click here.

  17. For more information upon how New Zealand was involved in World War One you may like to visit: www.warpath.orbat.com/anzac/nz_army.htm This site gives information upon the different Units within New Zealand’s Army during World War One. www.greatwar.org.nz/over2.htm This website page gives a brief overview of New Zealand’s involvement during World War One. The theatres of war covered are Samoa, Gallipoli, France and Belgium and Sinai/Palestine. There is also information upon the Maori Pioneer Battalion and ‘other services’ performed between 1914-1918, e.g. hospitals, military police, chaplains…

  18. 14095 Lance CPL. F. Fitzpatrick N.Z. Rifle Brigade. 27thNovember 1917 Age 24

  19. Canada offered to send soldiers to help Great Britain fight during the First World War during August 1914. On October 3rdthe first of 17 Infantry Battalions set sail for Europe. This soldier belonged to the Canadian Pioneers of the 124th Battalion. What does this tell you about Canada’s involvement in the war as time went on? Also what do you notice about the date of his death? (Think of the soldiers studied on previous slides). Can’t read it? Click here. Lijssenthoek Cemetery.

  20. For more information upon Canadian involvement at Ypres you may like to visit the following sites www.firstworldwar.com/source/ypres3_watson.htm This page from the First World War.Com website provides primary documents on the ‘Canadian Effort at the Third Battle of Ypres, 1917’. www.ironsides.8m.com/pass.html This webpage gives an account of Canadian involvement in the Battle of Passchendaele from October to November, 1917. Some images have been included. www.rootsweb.com/~canmil/ww1 The Canadian Military Heritage Project. There are links to information upon battles, weapons, uniforms and equipment, etc.

  21. 835040 Private W. Dwyer Canadian Pioneers 15thNovember 1917 Age 23

  22. This soldier belonged to the Cape of Good Hope Regiment which was part of the 1stSouth African Infantry Brigade. Second Lieutenant Hogg probably lost his life during the German Offensive which lasted from the 9th– 30thApril, 1918. This pushed the Allied lines back to within a few miles West of the canal that passes past Boesinghe – near to where this cemetery lies. Can’t read it? Click here. Lijssenthoek Cemetery.

  23. For more information upon the German Offensive in Flanders you may like to visit: www.westernfront.co.uk/thegreatwar/maproom.php Here you will find maps showing the progress of the German offensive on the Ypres Salient in 1918 and the German and Allied lines at different stages of the battle. For more information upon South African Battalions you may like to visit: http://rapidttp.com/milhist/vol072iu.html This site will tell you about the 1stSouth African Brigade and the South Africans at Delville Wood. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_African_Army#World_War_I This site provides information upon South African involvement during World War One.

  24. Second Lieutenant A.W. Hogg 1stRegt. South African inf 18thApril 1918 Age 20

  25. A.E. Carruthers belonged to the 5th Battalion which had been formed in Brecon in September 1914. The 5th Battalion became a pioneer Battalion in 1915 and took part in the Third Battle of Ypres and the advance into Flanders. The South Wales Borderers were involved in the Battle of Messines during the 10thand 11thof April 1918. This soldier has been laid to rest in Lijssenthoek Cemetery. Can’t read it? Click here.

  26. For more information upon the South Wales Borderers you may like to visit: www.rrw.org.uk This is the official site of The Royal Regiment of Wales. Here you will find a brief history of the regiment. www.1914-1918.net/swb.htm Here you will find a break down of the different battalions that made up The South Wales Borderers, where they formed and what became of them. Links are provided to further information upon battles fought. www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~dccfarr/3rd%20Ypres.htm This page gives information upon the 38th(Welsh) Divisions involvement during the Third Battle of Ypres, July 1917.

  27. 41519 Private A.E. Carruthers South Wales Borderers 11thApril 1918 Age 19

  28. There are only two Indian graves within Lijssenthoek Cemetery amongst 10,751 burials. This soldier died just before the Battle of Courtrai. He served in the 41stDivision Ammunition which was sent to northern Flanders where it held a sector near Ypres in 1918. It was involved in the Battle of Ypres and Advance into Flanders, as well as the Battle of Courtrai during this year. Can’t read it? Click here.

  29. For more information upon Indian involvement in World War One you may like to visit www.1914-1918.net/41div.htm This page gives a summary history of the division and lists the dates and locations of battles that it fought in. www.firstworldwar.com/features/lionsofthegreatwar.htm An article from the First World War.com website that describes the contribution made by Indian troops during World War One. www.mgtrust.org/ind1.htm Information from the Memorial Gates Trust which includes information upon volunteers from the Indian subcontinent who volunteered for service between 1914-1918. There is information upon individuals, as well as statistics for medals won and the numbers of dead, wounded and missing.

  30. THE FOLLOWING HINDU SOLDIER OF THE INDIAN ARMY IS HONOURED HERE 20860 DRIVER SUSAI ROYAL FIELD ARTILLERY

  31. E.J. Leader’s grave is in Hooge Cemetery, close to the site where the first liquid flamethrowers were used in battle by the Germans and where a huge mine was blown by the British in 1915. The Tank Corps used to be known as the Heavy Section Machine Gun Corps until being renamed the Tank Corps on the 27thJuly, 1917 – four days before E.J. Leader was killed. The 31stJuly was the first day of the Third Battle of Ypres. Can’t read it? Click here.

  32. For more information upon the Tank use in World War One you may like to visit www.1914-1918.net/tanks.htm This page from the Long, Long Trail website gives information upon the development and deployment of the first tanks to be used in battle. Tank Companies and their organisation is explained and the specific battles where tanks were deployed are highlighted. www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/FWWtankdevelop.htm The development of the tank and its future importance in the history of warfare is explained and illustrations and first hand accounts from 1914-1918 are provided. www.worldwar1.com/armory.htm#tanks Trenches on the Web. Lots of photographs and information.

  33. 75019 Gunner E.J. Leader Tank Corps 31stJuly 1917

  34. This plaque is found in Messines Ridge Cemetery, near Ypres A Maori Battalion was raised in New Zealand on the 14thFebruary 1915. They were fewer numbers than in a full battalion and so they were designated a ‘Pioneer’ Battalion. In 1916 The New Zealand Pioneer Battalion was formed and the Maori Battalion was incorporated into this. They landed in France during April 1916 and during their stay in Europe 336 Maori’s and Pacific Islanders were killed and 734 wounded. These Maori soldiers died during the Battle of Messines Ridge, during June 1917.

  35. For more information upon the Maori Battalion you may like to visit http://folksong.org.nz/te_ope_tuatahi New Zealand Folk Song Website. This page displays the recruiting song of the First Maori Contingent in World War One, together with a brief history of the Pioneer Battalion. www.greatwar.org.nz/over2.htm This website page gives a brief overview of New Zealand’s involvement during World War One. The theatres of war covered are Samoa, Gallipoli, France and Belgium and Sinai/Palestine. There is also information upon the Maori Pioneer Battalion and ‘other services’ performed between 1914-1918, e.g. hospitals, military police, chaplains…

  36. Found upon the Menin Gate Memorial to the Missing are the names of members of the Indian Sikh Regiments. Both Infantry and Cavalry Companies are commemorated here. Note: You must enter both names into the Surname Search Box, e.g. Jagat Singh. Leave the Initials Search Box empty. Note: Sepoy means a native of India who employed as a soldier in the service of a European power, especially Great Britain.

  37. For more information upon Indian involvement in World War One you may like to visit www.firstworldwar.com/features/lionsofthegreatwar.htm An article from the First World War.com website that describes the contribution made by Indian troops during World War One. www.mgtrust.org/ind1.htm Information from the Memorial Gates Trust which includes information upon volunteers from the Indian subcontinent who volunteered for service between 1914-1918. There is information upon individuals, as well as statistics for medals won and the numbers of dead, wounded and missing.

  38. 19 Welch Regiment Battalions served overseas during the First World War. 7,679 soldiers from these regiments lost their lives and 3 received The Victoria Cross for bravery. Below is just one section of one panel from the Menin Gate Memorial to the missing. Statistical information from The Royal Regiment of Wales website

  39. For more information upon the Welch Regiment you may like to visit There were 34 Battalions of the Welch Regiment by 1918. The Regiment took part in all principal battles and campaigns during the War and lost 7,779 men. The names of these men are found in Llandaff Cathedral, Cardiff. www.rrw.org.uk/museums/cardiff/fact_sheets/10.htm The Royal Regiment of Wales Museum Fact Sheets – WWI. These sheets give general information, the Battle Honours awarded from the 79 Battles and Actions fought between 1914-1918 and a Summary of Service for each Battalion. An account of each battle and the casualties sustained is also displayed.

  40. One panel of many from Tyne Cot Cemetery which lists some of the 34,927 names of soldiers who have no known grave.

  41. For more information upon the Royal Welch Fusiliers you may like to visit www.regiments.org/regiments/uk/info/023RWF.htm This web page provides links to further websites that provide a wealth of history upon the regiment and the battles and actions that it has taken part in. www.lib.byu.edu/~english/WWI/poets/poets.html#Sassoon www.lib.byu.edu/~english?WWI/poets/poets.html#Graves Siegfried Sassoon and Robert Graves. Here you will find information upon two very famous Royal Welch Fusiliers. The pages mix some of their poetry with general information about their lives and conduct during the war.

  42. Click on the screen to make the questions appear What is the average age of those soldiers who have been studied? Using an Atlas, work out roughly how far each soldier that you have studied has travelled to reach Belgium? Add up the number of soldiers who are named or buried at Tyne Cot and Lijssenthoek Cemeteries and the Menin Gate Memorial to the Missing? Using the table on the next slide, roughly calculate the percentage of British Empire war dead commemorated at these sites.

  43. Approximate figures of casualties during the First World War Killed Wounded 1,800,000 4,200,000 Germany 1,750,000 1,400,000 4,900,000 3,044,000 3,600,000 2,122,000 950,000 400,000 200,000 Russia France Austria-Hungary 1,290,000 British Empire Italy Turkey U.S.A. 950,000 615,000 325,000 125,000 Source: Wales and the First World War by Keith Strange

  44. Further useful web links: http://encyclopedia.learnthis.info/l/li/list_of_british_divisions_in_wwi.html List of British Divisions in WWI. A key indicated whether the Divisions belonged to the Regular Army, Territorial Army, Yeomanry, New Army, or ‘other’. Hyperlinks take you to further information upon particular divisions, the battles that they fought in, etc. www.users.globalnet.co.uk~dccfarr/index.htm Ypres and The Great War by Simon Farr. This site offers a wealth of information upon Ypres during World war One. There is a section upon the 38th(Welsh) Divisions involvement during the initial phase of the Third Battle of Ypres and maps and images have been included throughout the site. END

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