Trench Warfare

Social Studies Grade 8

No Man’s Land

Trench Foot u  Many soldiers fighting in the First World War

suffered from trench foot. This was an infection of the feet caused by cold, wet and unsanitary conditions. In the trenches men stood for hours on end in waterlogged trenches without being able to remove wet socks or boots. The feet would gradually go numb and the skin would turn red or blue. If untreated, trench foot could turn gangrenous and result in amputation. Trench foot was a particular problem in the early stages of the war. For example, during the winter of 1914-15 over 20,000 men in the British Army were treated for trench foot.

Trench Foot

Trench Foot…Remedy u  The only remedy for trench foot was for the

soldiers to dry their feet and change their socks several times a day. By the end of 1915 British soldiers in the trenches had to have three pairs of socks with them and were under orders to change their socks at least twice a day. As well as drying their feet, soldiers were told to cover their feet with a grease made from whale-oil. It has been estimated that a battalion at the front would use ten gallons of whale-oil every day.

Trench Mouth u  Trench mouth is a painful bacterial infection and ulceration

of the gums u  Trench mouth is a painful form of gingivitis (gum

inflammation). The term "trench mouth" comes from World War I, when the disorder was common among soldiers.

u  The mouth normally contains a balance of different microorganisms. Trench mouth occurs when there is too much mouth bacteria resulting in infection of the gums, which develop painful ulcers . Viruses may be involved in allowing the bacteria to overgrow

Trench Mouth

u Causes: Poor oral hygiene Poor nutrition Throat, tooth or mouth infections Smoking Emotional stress

Trench Mouth

Zig - Zag Trenches

John Bernard Croak

Croak u  The Croak family moved to Glace Bay, Nova Scotia when John was

two years old. He attended school there and then began work as a coal miner. Croak enlisted in the military in 1915. He was 26 years old, and a private in the 13th (Royal Highlanders of Canada) Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

u  On 8 August 1918 at Amiens, France, Private Croak, having become separated from his section, encountered a machine-gun which he proceeded to bomb, taking the gun and crew prisoners. Shortly afterwards he was severely wounded, but nevertheless rejoined his platoon. When several more machine-guns at a strong point were encountered, Croak, seeing an opportunity, dashed forward, followed almost immediately by the rest of the platoon in a brilliant charge. He was the first to arrive at the trench line into which he led his men, bayoneting or capturing the entire garrison. He was again wounded and died shortly thereafter at the age of only 26

Croak or Croke

u  The Newfoundland spelling of the name is "Croke," and that is also how it appears on Pvt. Croak's birth certificate. However, Pvt. Croak enlisted with this spelling, which remains on many of his official documents.

u  In Glace Bay, Nova Scotia, where John Bernard Croak grew up, there is a school, a park and a Royal Canadian Legion branch named in his honour.

Tommy Rickets u  Tommy Ricketts was born in Middle Arm, White Bay, on

April 15, 1901. He enlisted for service in September 1916, a grim time in the war. Just two months earlier, the Regiment was decimated at Beaumont Hamel, during the Battle of the Somme.

u  Barely 15, Ricketts was well aware of the risks of enlisting. However, he was certainly not the only teenager to tell recruiting officers he was older than he was.

u  Tommy Ricketts is a household name, decades later, because of what he did in battle on Oct. 14, 1918, in Ledgeham, Belgium – an act of courage so remarkable he was awarded the Victoria Cross, the highest award for valour

Ricketts u  "During the advance from Ledgehem the attack was temporarily

held up by heavy hostile fire, and the platoon to which he belonged suffered severe casualties from the fire of a battery at point blank range. Private Ricketts at once volunteered to go forward with his Section Commander and a Lewis gun to attempt to outflank the battery. They advanced by short rushes while subject to severe fire from enemy machine guns.

u  When 300 yards away, their ammunition gave out. The enemy, seeing an opportunity to get their field guns away, began to bring up their gun teams. Private Ricketts at once realized the situation. He doubled back 100 yards, procured some ammunition and dashed back to the Lewis gun, and by very accurate fire drove the enemy and their gun teams into a farm. His platoon then advanced without casualties, and captured four field guns, four machine guns and eight prisoners. A fifth field gun was subsequently intercepted by fire and captured. By his presence of mind in anticipating the enemy intention and his utter disregard for personal safety, Private Ricketts secured the further supplies of ammunition which directly resulted in these important captures and undoubtedly saved many lives."

Ricketts u  Three months later, Ricketts was awarded the

Victoria Cross by King George V, who introduced Ricketts as "the youngest VC in my army." The King wrote in his diary on Jan. 20, 1919, the following entry: "Yesterday I gave the V.C. to Private Ricketts, Newfoundland Regiment, who is only 17 and a half now, a splendid boy."

u  Ricketts returned to Newfoundland a hero, but a modest one. For the rest of his life, he never boasted of his valour, and was content to keep a low profile in private life.