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11 november 2008

First World War archive opens online

11 Nov 08

William Robert Jones (front row, far right) was born on the 2nd January 1887, in the Rhondda valley to a mining family. He himself was a miner in 1913 when he married Amy Anne Williams. He was a musician and enlisted in 1916 joining the 32nd Bn Royal Fusiliers where he served as a bandsman and stretcher bearer, In 1918,because of the many casualties suffered during the Gerrman offensives, William was attached to the 10th Royal West Surreys (“The Queen’s”) and was reported missing on the 22nd March 1918. He was 31 years of age. In many ways his story would be unremarkable, just another casualty of the Great War, but William’s story does not end there. Because he was new to The Queen’s his paperwork had not been processed and thus his death was never recorded. Consequently, at present no memorial to him exists. The Commonwealth Graves Commission are in contact with the Home Office and enquiries are ongoing, but at present the only memorial to William Jones is Oxford University’s Great War Archive. The items were submitted by David Evans of South Wales.

Oxford University is marking the 90th anniversary of Armistice Day by launching a new, free to access website which will enable educators, scholars and the public to view previously unseen memorabilia from World War I.

The Great War Archive website brings together 6,500 digital images of items submitted to Oxford University by members of the public. The majority of these images are of treasured family heirlooms, which have never been on public display.

Every item originates from, or relates to, someone's experience of the First World War, either abroad or at home. Contributions were received via a special website and also through a series of open days at libraries and museums throughout the country.

Items include a bullet-dented tea can which saved the life of an engineer who repaired a bombing post whilst under heavy fire in Bullecort in November 1917 and a souvenir matchbox made by a German POW for a British Lance Corporal after they had fought a fierce fire together, saving many lives.  

There are also remarkable sketches of scenes and characters from military and civilian life by Private Percy Matthews, until now, an unknown artist.

The Great War Archive complements Oxford University’s First World War Poetry Digital Archive, which will enable online users to view previously unseen materials such as poetry manuscripts and original diary entries from some of the conflict’s most important poets. It builds on Oxford University’s extensive Wilfred Owen Archive and contains over 7,000 digital images, along with text, audio and video relating to other major British ‘front line’ poets.

Oxford University’s Project Leader, Kate Lindsay, said: ‘The Great War is arguably the most resonant period in modern British history. The memorabilia and poetry archives will provide easy access to an unrivalled collection of material which will be of use to anyone interested in getting closer to this world-changing conflict.’

The websites have been made possible through the JISC Digitisation Programme which will see a wide range of heritage and scholarly resources of national importance shared with new audiences

George Cavan was a Company Sergeant Major in the 9th (Glasgow Highlanders) Bn. Highland Light Infantry. On his way to the front he threw out onto his home train station a matchbox containing a note to his family. The items were submitted by Maureen Rogers, currently living in Australia.George Cavan, a Company Sergeant Major, was at training camp when the orders came through to dispatch to France. The train he was on with his troops went through his home station but did not stop there. He threw out onto the station a matchbox containing a note to his family. Someone picked up the matchbox and delivered it to his family. George was killed just a few days after arriving at the Front in France on the 13th April, 1918. The items were submitted by Maureen Rogers, currently living in Australia.

 

Top image: William Robert Jones (front row, far right) was a musician and enlisted in 1916 joining the 32nd Bn Royal Fusiliers where he served as a bandsman and stretcher bearer. In 1918, because of the many casualties suffered during the German offensives, William was attached to the 10th Royal West Surreys (“The Queen’s”) and was reported missing on the 22nd March 1918. He was 31 years of age. The items were submitted by David Evans of South Wales.

Further information

James Ryan was accepted as a volunteer at just 16 years of age. He joined the Royal Field Artillery as a Gunner (service no. 1385). Jim was killed by Mustard Gas on 30th September 1917 at the 3rd battle of Passchendale on the Menin Road. This photograph is part of a collection contributed to the Great War Archive by Simon Green on behalf of his mother Edna, James' younger sister.

James Ryan was 6ft tall and looked older which was why he was accepted as a volunteer at just 16 years of age.  In a letter home he stated that 'there isn't a bullet with my name on'. This proved correct as Jim was killed by Mustard Gas on 30th September 1917 at the 3rd battle of Passchendale on the Menin Road. His headstone shows his age as 22yrs old which is incorrect as he had lied about his age when he volunteered. This photograph is part of a collection contributed to the Great War Archive by Simon Green on behalf of his mother Edna, James' younger sister.