Gateways to the First World War

About Us

Gateways to the First World War is a centre for public engagement with the Great War centenary, funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC). Our aim is to encourage and support public interest in the centenary through a range of events and activities such as open days and study days, advice on access to materials and expertise, and signposting for other resources and forms of support.

Watch our short films:
Gateways at Broadwater Farm and Not Far from the Front.

Seminar: ‘Reconstructing Flanders fields after the Great War’ - Dries Claeys

Event

Gateways Event

Although the war damage in Belgium was nowhere near the scale of the French regions dévastées, the Belgian countryside as well had to be restored. This was particularly the case in Ypres and its surrounding areas.
Seminar: ‘An elegy of mud, blood and darkness: Australian war writing and the third battle of Ypres’ - Matt Haultain-Gall

Event

Gateways Event

‘The year 1917 had been one of disaster for our arms in all save the Messines attack’ wrote the Australian ex-serviceman G.D. Mitchell in Backs to the Wall. Few of his comrades would have disagreed.
Seminar: ‘Returning Veterans, Pilgrimage and British War Cemeteries of the Western Front’ - Tim Godden

Event

Gateways Event

‘To anyone who knew this territory as it appeared after the battle, it is fascinating to stand at a point such as Dantzig Alley Cemetery, near Mametz, and take into view a wide sweep of country’, observed Captain H.A.
Seminar: 'Refugee relief during the First World War: Belgian refugees in Birmingham’ - Jolien De Vuyst

Event

Gateways Event

During the First World War, 1.5 million Belgians or one fifth of the total population fled the country. 250.000 were welcomed in England, which still accounts for the largest refugee movement in British history.
Seminar: 'Notes and Swearies: Blasphemy and Obscene Language in Soldiers’ speech and song, 1914-1919' - Professor Mark Connelly

Event

Gateways Event

British veterans of the First World War often commented on the obscene language and blasphemy they experienced in the army. This talk will examine the extent to which this reputation was deserved.

About Us

Seminar: ‘Reconstructing Flanders fields after the Great War’ - Dries Claeys

Seminar: ‘An elegy of mud, blood and darkness: Australian war writing and the third battle of Ypres’ - Matt Haultain-Gall

Seminar: ‘Returning Veterans, Pilgrimage and British War Cemeteries of the Western Front’ - Tim Godden

Seminar: 'Refugee relief during the First World War: Belgian refugees in Birmingham’ - Jolien De Vuyst

Seminar: 'Notes and Swearies: Blasphemy and Obscene Language in Soldiers’ speech and song, 1914-1919' - Professor Mark Connelly