The First World War is undoubtedly one of the biggest turning points in modern history for Britain and the world. The war affected those fighting on the front line, those that supported behind it, and those that were left at home. Therefore it is a particularly strong topic to study challenges for Britain, Europe, and the wider world 1901 to the present day and as a local history study. It will also support those pupils taking AQA, Edexcel, and OCR GCSE papers.
We have designed the resources below to help your pupils learn, whether they are in the classroom or at home. They will also support and complement a visit. Check out our Trench Warfare workshop at the Royal Armouries Museum, Leeds and our First World War workshop at Fort Nelson in Portsmouth.
Some resources were created during the lockdown and are specifically designed for those pupils learning at home.
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Recording of George A Weston’s letter
Stationed at Fort Nelson in 1914-15, George A Weston volunteered for the army in the early days of the war along with hundreds of thousands of other men. The recording below is of a letter home and gives a wonderful insight into the mind of a soldier of the First World War. A transcript of the letter and extra information about George are in the First World War Learning Resource Teacher Notes KS3 and KS4 (262 KB, pdf). The letter is used with the kind permission of Bill Weston, editor of Weston Papers: 1914-19 Bk 1 for educational purposes.
All the below images are from our collection and will enhance students visual understanding of the First World War. Hover over the image to reveal more information, including a link to further information and more images of the object.
The Mauser Gewehr 98 was the standard rifle issued to German infantrymen in the First World War. It has a rate of fire of about 15 aimed shots per minute. This weapon is known for being robust and accurate but can only hold 5 rounds of ammunition at any given point, meaning it has to be reloaded more frequently than the British equivalent. Click here to see the object page and more images.
Modèle 1886 'Lebel' rifle France
This weapon was the main rifle used by French forces in the First World War and it was revolutionary when it was designed. It used smokeless powder, instead of black powder, meaning it did not give off a cloud of smoke, and helped to reduce jamming.
The magazine holds 8 rounds of ammunition however, it takes much longer to reload than other rifles and only has a rate of fire of about 12 aimed shots per minute.
Click here to see the object page and more images.
Mosin Model 1891 rifle ‘Mosin-Nagant’ Russia
This rifle was originally designed and produced because it was cheap and easy to make, which was important for Russia given the sheer number of troops in need of a rifle. It is very powerful and reliable, and has been used in many wars, including the First World War and more recently by the Taliban. It is less accurate than other rifles and can be tricky to use. It has a rate of fire similar to the German Mauser Gewehr 98, of 15 aimed shots per minute.
Click here to see the object page and more images.
Short Magazine Lee Enfield Britain
The short magazine Lee-Enfield was the main rifle used by all troops of the British Empire.
The rate of fire on this weapon is what makes it really impressive. A well-trained infantryman could fire between 15 and 25 aimed shots per minute, although the world record is said to be 38. One German officer said they could be so quick he thought they were being fired at by machine guns.
Click here to see the object page and more images.
Vickers Maxim Machine Gun Mk.I 1912 Britain
This machine gun was initially created for the British Army but has since been used all over the world. The Machine Gun Corps was formed in 1915, to train soldiers how to use such specialist machinery. They could fire up to 550 rounds per minute, had a range of 4000 yards and generally needed a small crew to operate. Click here to see the object page and more images.
Trench clubs or maces 1910-1920 Britain or France
Trench clubs like these were not issued to any soldier. Instead they were made in the trenches, often using the handles of entrenching tools and spare metal. They were used by many nations during the war but were particularly popular in the British ranks. Fighting in small trenches was extremely difficult with a rifle, particularly with a bayonet attached because of its length. Trenches were only about 6ft (2m) wide, meaning close quarter combat weapons like a club or mace would be more effective.
Click here to see the object page and more images.
Trench knife 1914-1918 Britain or France
Used for close quarters combat inside trenches, knives like this were made using scavenged material, sometimes from bayonets or metal from enemy lines. They were made in the trenches but could be just as effective against an enemy soldier as the weapons produced and issued by the army.
Click here to see the object page and more images.
