On Friday 26 June 2015 Gateways to the First World War held a ‘Gateways to Civilian Service’ study day at Chatham Historic Dockyard in Kent. The event brought together researchers from around the UK to talk about their work on the contributions made to the war effort by a variety of British groups and communities between 1914 and 1918.
Dr Emma Hanna - ‘Whatever Cheers the Warrior Helps to Win the War’: The YMCA, 1914-1918
The day began with a talk from Gateways' Dr Emma Hanna about the role of the YMCA in supporting troops fighting for Britain and its empire during the First World War. Her presentation, ‘Whatever Cheers the Warrior Helps to Win the War’: The YMCA, 1914-1918, explored the variety of ways in which the YMCA provided rest and recreation for weary soldiers and particularly its role in providing cinema showings and concert parties for the troops.
Download details of the presentation here.
Dr Michael Snape - Army Chaplains in the First World War
In his presentation Army Chaplains in the First World War Dr Michael Snape (University of Birmingham) challenged some of the myths that arose in the post-war period about both the role of army chaplains and the importance of religion more generally during the First World War. He explored the ways in which the activities of chaplains developed as the war progressed and argued that the central role of chaplains in supporting the British Army demonstrated the continuing significance of religion in British society during the period.
Dr Rebecca Wynter - ‘Go anywhere, do anything’: the Friends’ Ambulance Unit, 1914-1919
Continuing the theme of religious faith and support for the war effort, Dr Rebecca Wynter (University of Birmingham) discussed the role of the Society of Friends during the First World War in her presentation ‘Go anywhere, do anything’: the Friends’ Ambulance Unit, 1914-1919. Dr Wynter explored both the role of the Friends' Ambulance Unit and the motivations of its members, including the extent to which their activities could be shaped by their faith. You can listen to the talk below.
Dr Nicola Verdon – The Women’s Land Army
The afternoon session began with a talk from Dr Nicola Verdon (Sheffield Hallam University) on The Women's Land Army during the First World War. Dr Verdon examined the wider wartime developments in food supply and agriculture which led to the introduction of the Women's Land Army, and discussed how the organisation developed during the conflict. She also highlighted the primary sources available for people interested in researching this area of First World War history.
Dr Susan Hawkins – The British Red Cross, Voluntary Aid Detachments
Dr Susan Hawkins (Kingston University) introduced the audience to the VAD online database which she has been developing with the British Red Cross. The project - which is ongoing - has involved the digitisation of the service record cards of thousands of First World War Voluntary Aid Detachment personnel, including well-known figures such as Agatha Christie and Vera Brittain. The Red Cross VAD database can be accessed here.
Sophie Fitzpatrick – Historypin
During the latter part of the day, the speakers focused on resources for people interested in developing First World War projects. Sophie Fitzpatrick introduced Historypin, a crowd-sourcing website designed to allow people to share their historical research, including videos, audio recordings and images.
Visit the Gateways to the First World War hub on Historypin and contact us at gateways@kent.ac.uk if you would like to connect your project with the hub.
Sarah Wicks (Heritage Lottery Fund) – HLF funding for First World War projects
The day finished with a talk from Sarah Wicks of the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) about the HLF First World War Then and Now scheme which can provide funding to successful applicants of £3,000–£10,000 for First World War Heritage projects.
View the presentation about the HLF First World War Then and Now Scheme. For further information visit www.hlf.org.uk.
