“I look upon the people and the nation, as handed on to me, as a responsibility conferred upon me by God. And I believe, as it is written in the Bible, that it is my duty to increase this heritage, for which one day I shall be called upon to give an account. Whoever tries to interfere with my task, I shall crush.” Kaiser Wilhelm II, 1913
"Their governments composed of men and responsible only to the men of each country, and backed by the majority of men who have caught the war and glory fever, have declared war on one another. The women of all these countries have not been consulted as to whether they would have war or not..."
Harriette Beanland, English dressmaker August 1914
Erich Remarque
Franz Ferdinand's car, a Graf und Stift, showing where the bullet penetrated the car. The car is displayed in the Heeresgeschichtliches Museum, Vienna
German solider in World War One - dogs equipped with gas masks.
“Wearing a uniform of some kind (whether in the forces or as a male or female police officer, postal worker or bus conductor) was an obvious way of contributing, but civilians working in a factory making uniforms, guns, ammunition, tanks or ships had every right to feel they were contributing as much to the war effort as a man with a gun. So, too, did dockers and miners.”
"COWARD" is a 28 minute film set during World War 1 that brings to light some of the brutal treatment soldiers received for suffering what would now be known as shell-shock. It follows two cousins, Andrew and James, from their home in Northern Ireland who join the British Army to fight for their Country and make their families proud. Through their eyes we see the reality of life on the front lines.
“Today the fate of the British Empire hangs in the balance. I place my trust in the Canadian Corps knowing that where Canadians are engaged, there can be no giving way. You will advance or fall where you stand facing the enemy. To those who will fall, I say, you will not die but step into immortality.”
Arthur Currie’s speech to his troops
"Paris was a nightmare, and every one there was morbid. A sense of impending catastrophe overhung the frivolous scene; the futility and smallness of man before the great events confronting him; ......all the elements of ancient tragedy were there."
John Maynard Keynes
"Trench life was terrible. The enemy would throw grenades and bombs that would make craters in the trenches. When it rained, the craters would fill up with water and get all soggy causing high fevers, colds and other horrible illnesses. One common symptom from water was trench foot."
Unknown soldier from trenches
Some 616 South Africans died when the SS Mendi sank on 21 February 1917.