World War One - University of Glasgow Library

World War OneThis short exhibition highlights the resources available in our Library

Collections for the study of World War One. It focuses on the first year of the war, 1914.

Further information about any item mentioned is available from the Welcome

Desk on Level 2

World War OneWorld War One is also called First World War or Great War. It was an international

conflict lasting from 1914 –1918, and involved most of the nations of Europe

along with Russia, the United States, the Middle East, and other regions.

.It was unprecedented in slaughter and

destruction, and was a watershed in 20th-century history. It led to the fall of four European dynasties and resulted in the

Revolution in Russia.

World War One: How it began

On 28th June 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, and his wife, Sophie, were shot dead in Sarajevo by Gavrilo Princip. He was part of a group who wanted

to unite Yugoslavia and break away from the Austro–

Hungarian Empire.

June 28th 1914 - Franz Ferdinand of Austria assassinated

Library Resources: Soviet Studies. Level 6 Annexe

The couple just minutes before the assassination.Picture credit:© IWM (Q 79761)

The death of Franz Ferdinand led to a quarrel between Austria and Serbia. The German Emperor (left) pledged support for Austria. Serbia was allied

with Russia who felt threated by Germany’s action. Russia’s allies were France and Great Britain.

Thus a small war in the Balkans could escalate into a bigger European war.

July 5th - Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany promises support for Austria/Hungary


Picture Credit: © IWM (HU 68367)

Library Resources: European History. Level 8

July 28th – Austria/Hungary declared war on Serbia

Negotiations to try to bring about a peaceful solution to the quarrel were unsuccessful, and Austria/Hungary issued an ultimatum to Serbia.The Serbian response

was considered unsatisfactory and

Austria/Hungary declared war on Serbia.

Russia then

mobilised in support of her ally

Serbia.


Picture Credit: © IWM

(Art.IWM PST

2713)

Alarmed by the Russian

mobilisation, Germany declared war on Russia

on August 1st, 1914.

Left – crowds at Unter den Linden in Berlin

listen to the announcement of

mobilisation.Credit: Mary Evans Picture Library

August 1st - Germany declares war on Russia


Belgium seeks help from UK

On the 3rd of August 1914, Germany declared war on France, and signalled its intention to travel through

Belgium to France. Belgium called for assistance from

the United Kingdom, calling on their agreement under the

Treaty of London, 1839.House of Commons debates, Germany and Belgium(03.08.14) 65 1833.

Available : Official Publications, Library Level 7

World War One: The United Kingdom goes to war

The 1839 Treaty of LondonThe ‘Scrap of Paper’

This was treaty under which the European nations guaranteed

the neutrality of Belgium.

Library Resources: British History: Level 8.


Image Credit: © IWM (Q 79761)

.

House of Commons debates, The Prime Minister’s Announcement, Great Britain and Germany (04.08.14) 65 1925-1926. Available : Official Publications, Library Level 7

Ultimatum to the German Government

On the 4th of August 1914, the UK Government issued an ultimatum to Germany,

requesting that they respect the Treaty of

London, 1839, and not violate Belgian neutrality.


Declaration of war

Receiving no reply from the Germans, and

hearing that they have crossed into Belgian territory, the United

Kingdom declared war on Germany at 7pm on

the 4th August, 1914.

House of Commons debates, Prime Minister’s Statements, War in Europe (05.08.14) 65 1963-1964. Available from Level 7 of the Library.


In this famous cartoon from Punch, the small

Belgian peasant stands ready to

defend his village against the bigger

German.

Punch, August 12, 1914. Library Research Annexe


Rupture of Diplomatic Relations...

This is an account from the British Ambassador to Berlin, Sir William Goschen as war is

declared. It includes his conversation with the German

Chancellor, who expressed ‘agitation’ that Britain would go to war over a ‘scrap of paper.’ (The 1839 Treaty of London)

Cd 7445, Session 1914. Available : Official Publications, Library Level 7


World War One: British Recruitment and Mobilisation

The British Expeditionary Force - or BEF - totalling 85,000

men, was sent to France when war was declared. The image

shows them disembarking at

Boulogne, France. Image: The Country

Gentleman and Land and Water. Vol. 63, 1914.

Library Research Annexe

The BEF at Boulogne, August

1914.

Horses being slung over from a transport.

Over 20,000 horses were landed.

Image: The Illustrated War News.



As soon as war was declared the Territorial Army also began to mobilise. This is the London Scottish,

August 5th, 1914.Image: The Illustrated War News. Library Research Annexe

.


In 1914 the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders recruited on campus at the University Union. Over 200 students enlisted with the regiment. Many ended up in the 6th Battalion’s B Company, which was unofficially

known as the University Company.University Archives MS Gen 1376/11/9


Francis MacCunn (on the left) worked in Glasgow

University History Department. He enlisted in 1914. He was killed in

action exactly a year later. Library Special

Collections have over 70 letters sent home by

MacCunn, including a farewell telegram

(MS Gen 532)


Manual of Map reading and Field Sketching.

Mil Sci EC310.G7 Man

With the outbreak of war and widespread

recruitment, the War Office published a number of training

manuals that were readily available in bookshops

throughout the UK.The Military Science collection on Level 8

contains some of these manuals


The White Ensign is the flag flown on British Royal Navy ships.

Kaiserliche Marine (Imperial German Navy) War Ensign 1903–19.

World War One: Major Campaigns 1914The Battles of Coronel and the Falklands

In 1914, the British Fleet accounted for almost

43% of the world’s shipping. Britain relied on imports, especially food and raw materials. To

protect these interests, Britain was involved in two major naval battles at the beginning of the war; Coronel and the

Falklands.


Flag signalling from HMS King George V to other ships of the Fleet.

Picture credit: © IWM (Q 19537)

The first, the battle of Coronel, took place off the coast of

Chile. The German East Asia

Squadron, with a new flagship the Sharnhorst (left), had been operating in the Pacific. It was commanded by Admiral von Spee. At the beginning of the war, he moved his operations

to South America and the crucial trade routes there.

Kroschel, Guner: Die Deutsche Flotte, 1848-1945’.



Spee retained the Emden in the Indian Ocean to

disrupt trade. It had significant success before

being destroyed in November 1914.

Spee himself sailed east, shelling Papeete in

French Polynesia, before regrouping off Easter

Island.

SMS Gneisenau. Kroschel, Guner :Die Deutsche

Flotte, 1848-1945’.Library Research Annexe


The nearest British force in the area at that time was commanded by

Admiral Christopher Cradock (left) who had been searching for raiders on the east coast of South America.

He was ordered to meet Spee’s force. Cradock’s ships were inferior to those

under Spee. HMS Good Hope (Cradock’s flagship) and HMS Monmouth were both lighter in

broadside gunnery and neither could use their lower guns in heavy seas.

.


Picture credit: © IWM (Q 69171)

On 1st November, Spee sighted Cradock’s ships. Cradock tried to attack

while the Germans still had the sun in their eyes but

Spee kept his distance until it set. The British were now

silhouetted against the afterglow and the

overwhelming German superiority in gunnery

began to tell.

H.M.S. Good Hope, Cradock’s flagship, sunk at Coronel.

Picture credit: © IWM (Q 21297) Library Resources:

European History. Level 8


As the British ships closed in to bring their own guns into range, German fire

became increasingly accurate, and both Good

Hope and Monmouth sank with the loss of all hands

(nearly 1600 men). Only 3 Germans were injured, although they had used

nearly half of their ammunition.

HMS Monmouth, sunk at Coronel.Picture credit: © IWM (Q 75304)

Library Resources: European History. Level 8

.


This was the first British naval defeat in over a century and

had a serious impact on Britain’s reputation as the

‘ruler of the waves’. Shock at the British losses led to the immediate sending of more ships to the South Atlantic. These included the battle

cruisers HMS Invincible and HMS Inflexible, under Vice Admiral Doveton Sturdee.

The German squadron leaving Valparaiso, Chile, November 1914,

following the Battle of Coronel.Picture credit: U.S. Naval Historical

Center


While British ships awaited Sturdee’s reinforcements, Spee had entered

Valparaiso (Chile) for coal and provisions. Under international law he could only remain for 24 hours. After that, he had no alternative but to proceed back into the Atlantic and

head for Germany. Aware of the dangers of this tactic, it is reported that he commented on leaving port that a presented bouquet of flowers ‘will do very nicely for my grave’.

Vice-Admiral Maximilian Graf von

Spee


Library Resources: European History.

Level 8

Before sailing for Germany, Spee decided to attack the British base

in the Falklands. Sturdee’s squadron

arrived just before the Germans. The weather was clear, and when the Germans appeared, the British opened fire. Spee ordered his ships to dash

for the sea.Library Resources: European History. Level

HMS Glasgow - in both battles. Picture credit : © IWM (Q 21286)


The British chased, and sank the Leipzig and Nürnberg.

Sturdee’s ships then began to damage both the

Scharnhorst and Gneisenau. Both sank. Neither Spee, nor

his sons, serving with him, survived, and, of a

complement of about 2,200 crew from the four ships,

only 215 survived. No British vessel was badly damaged.


SMS ScharnhosrtPicture Credit: © IWM (Q

22361)

Vice-Admiral Sir Doveton Sturdee,

commander of the British force at the Battle of the Falklands.

Image: ‘The Country

Gentleman and Land & Water’, vol.64, 1914.

Library Research Annexe.

In reality, these battles were only a side-show. Only eight days later, German shelling of Scarborough,

Whitby and Hartlepool

emphasised where the major sea battle would eventually be.


Trench map resources in the library

The British Trench Map Atlas by the National Archives is available in DVD format. It has over 700 maps, with

notes from military cartographer

Dr. Peter Chasseaud.

The DVD is held on Level 7 of the Library, and staff will be happy to assist you in accessing this resource.

.

World War One: Maps

Forty, Simon. Mapping the First World War.

London : Conway, 2013Level 7 Atlas Bibliog D 8

2002-F

This volume provides detailed maps on all aspects

of the war, such as battle movements, air operations,

and attacks on merchant shipping.

.

World War One: Maps

• Glasgow-based optical instrument engineers Barr & Stroud invented rangefinders,

• Their rangefinders were in action during the war• Company records are held in the University Archives

University Archives UGD295/8/1/1

World War One: The Home Front: Industry

• With the outbreak of war manufacturers and engineers William Beardmore immediately focused on the production of munitions, ships, aeroplanes, and tanks

• Company records are held in the University Archives

William Beardmore & Co. Tank-erecting workshop, Dalmuir. University Archives UGD100/1/11/3

World War One: The Home Front: Industry

This appeal from Field Marshall

Roberts for saddles for

cavalry at the front appeared

in 1914.

The Country Gentleman and Land and Water: the world war. Vol. 63, 1914. Library Research Annexe

World War One: The Home Front: Equipping the Army

In 1914, many gentlemen's outfitters

turned their attention from producing civilian clothing

to producing military outfits. This advert from Frederick Gorringe of

Buckingham Palace Road was one of many to appear in the press.



Robinson and Cleaver were a Belfast

department store. Although one of its

specialities was Irish Linen, they also

produced woollen blankets for

front line troops.



Ferguson's was an Edinburgh confectionery firm. It is credited with the

invention of the (still available) Edinburgh Rock

confectionery.The British Expeditionary Force - or BEF - was the force sent to the Western

Front during the War

World War One: The Home Front:Supporting the Troops


A Sovereign had a nominal value of £1. This is approx £70 in

today’s currency.1 shilling (1/-) equals

approximately£3.50

Image: The Country Gentleman and Land and

WaterVol. 63, 1914. Library Research Annexe

World War One: The Home Front :Supporting the Troops

.

Harrods is a department store in London. It was

founded in 1824.

Image: The Country

Gentleman and Land and WaterVol. 63, 1914.


World War One: The Home Front IndustrySupporting the Troops

Tommy Atkins was a term for a solider in the British Army and was in common usage during

World War One.

Image: The Country Gentleman and Land and

WaterVol. 63, 1914.


World War One: The Home Front IndustrySupporting the Troops

In 1913 income tax was only paid by

2% of the population. During the war, another

2.4 million people would end up

being eligible. By 1918, 8% were

paying income tax.

Images: The Country Gentleman and Land and WaterVol. 63, 1914. Library Research Annexe

World War One: The Home Front :Hardship

Image: The Country Gentleman and Land and Water.

Vol. 63, 1914. Library Research Annexe

Established in 1835 the firm of Jelks organised the sale of furniture belonging to soldiers serving abroad.

The advert notes that despite the war, the firm continued to retain a full

staff on full wages.


In 1914 a National Relief Fund was formed under the patronage

of the Prince of Wales to give assistance to the dependents of

men who had gone to fight.

Images: Land and Water: the world war.Vol 64, 1914. Library Research Annexe


House of Commons Oral Questions, War in Europe (10.08.14) 65 2298-99. Available from Level 7 of the library.House of Commons Oral Questions, War in Europe (10.08.14) 65 2298-99. Available from Level 7 of the library.

House of Commons Oral Questions, War in Europe (10.08.14) 65 2298-99.

Available from Level 7 of the library

The wives and families of men at war faced hardship with the loss of what was

sometimes the only wage-earner in the home, and appealed to MPs for

assistance. Rowland Hunt was the MP

for Ludlow


Many women knitted garments for family members who went

to war. Lord Kitchener was Secretary of State for war, and this article refers to his appeal

to Queen Mary to start a campaign to obtain 300,000 pairs of socks and the same number of belts for British

soldiers at the front.


World War One: The Home Front :Women

In 1914 women did not have the vote. At the

outbreak of the war, the campaign for votes for

women was strong, and many supporters were imprisoned.

However, by the 10th of August, 1914, women

suffragists were released “in this time of emergency”

House of Commons debates, Written Answers; Release of Prisoners

(10.08.14) 65 2265. Available : Official Publications,

Library Level 7


On the 20th August,1914, the Central Committee on

Women’s Employment was formed to report on schemes for the provision of work for

women and girls unemployed on account of

the war.

Interim Report of the Central Committee of Women’s Employment, Cd. 7848,

Session 1914-16

Available: Level 7


Patriotism was a recurring theme in commercial

advertising during the war.

Image: The Country Gentleman and Land and WaterVol. 63, 1914.

Library Research Annexe.

World War One: The Home Front:Patriotism

People were encouraged to buy products from British companies.

Image: The Country Gentleman and Land and WaterVol. 63, 1914.


World War One: The Home Front :Patriotism

In 1914, adverts for

holidays were still appearing.

Image: The Country

Gentleman and Land and

WaterVol. 63, 1914.


World War One: The Home Front:Life Goes On

Images: The

Country Gentleman and Land and Water

Vol. 63, 1914.


World War One: The Home Front :Life Goes On

This extract from The Country Gentleman and

Land and Water, 29th August 1914, reports on conditions

on the grouse moors, especially the Scottish moors. The war would

impact this sport as men went to fight and

horses were drafted for duty at the front.

Available from:Library Research Annexe

World War One: The Home Front :Life Goes On

Statistics of the Military Effort of the British Empire during the Great War was

published by the War Office. These were compiled in a

monthly periodical called the Abstract of Military

Statistics, which ran from 1916 to 1920.

Available : Official Publications, Library Level 7

World War One: Statistics

June 28 Assassination of Archduke Franz FerdinandJuly 28 Austria-Hungary declares war on SerbiaAugust 1 Germany declares war on RussiaAugust 3 Germany declares war on FranceAugust 4 Germany invades neutral BelgiumAugust 4 Britain declares war on GermanyAugust 4 US President Wilson declares US neutralitySeptember 15 Trenches appearOctober 14 First Battle of YpresDecember 8 Battle of the Falkland IslandsDecember 21 First German air raid on BritainDecember 25 Unofficial Christmas truce

World War One: The Events of the Year

The Christmas Truce

John Adams, a University of Glasgow graduate, was chaplain to

the Gordon Highlanders on Christmas Day 1914, when he saw

men emerging from both sets of trenches. Adams and a German

divinity student officiated at a service, at which the 23rd Psalm was read in English and German. The truce lasted until the 3rd of

January 1915 and was not repeated again during the war.

This Christmas Pastoral Letter was read in all Belgian churches in January 1915.

Library Research Annexe (Cc7-b.7)

World War One: Christmas 1914

Poppies

The poppy was one of the plants to grow on the battlefields of

the Western front in World War One.

It came to symbolise the sacrifices made by soldiers in World War One and

subsequent wars.

John McCrae, a Canadian surgeon during the war witnessed the death of a friend,

and wrote the poem In Flanders Fields in his memory

In Flanders fields the poppies blowBetween the crosses, row on row,

That mark our place; and in the skyThe larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days agoWe lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,Loved and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:To you from failing hands we throwThe torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who dieWe shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.

World War One - University of Glasgow Library

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