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Wakefield Museums and Castles
First World War: military resources
Learn about the experiences of First World War soldiers. Explore museum objects, photographs and documents.
Browse a selection of highlights, and download our full resource packs for more:
- First World War: military resource pack (PDF)
- First World War: military resource pack (accessible word doc)
These resources are for KS2, KS3 and KS4.
Black and white photograph of soldiers
What is it? A black and white photograph of soldiers.
How old is it? It was taken between 1914 and 1918.
Why is this source important? It shows the uniform that soldiers wore during the First World War. The photograph is also a visual record of the men who fought during the war.
Dimensions: Height 95mm, width 147mm.
Who would have used this? It is not known why the photograph was taken. It may have been used by the soldiers as a record of who they served with and to give to friends and family.
Where is it now? The photograph is part of West Yorkshire Archive Service collections. It is held at Wakefield Archives at the West Yorkshire History Centre.
R. Ede. England's wrist watch
What is it? Wrist watch worn by a British soldier during WWI.
Why is this source important? Worn by Captain R. Ede England (King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry) on the first day of the Battle of the
Somme, 1st July 1916. He timed his company going ‘over the top’ at 7:48am. The battle lasted over four months and more than 360,000 men died.
When was it donated to the museum? The watch was donated in 1974 by Mr R. E. England.
What is it made of? Leather strap attached with metal. Watch itself is metal and glass.
Transcription of label texts:
‘On 1st July 1966 during a pilgrimage to the battlefields (he) wore this watch as he stood in the shallow depression representing the British front line as it was on 1st July 50 years previously, at the spot where the front line skirted Matthew Copse.
I certify this to be a true statement.
R Ede England 26 July 1966’.
‘This watch was worn by Captain R. Ede England (born at Bolton Lancs. On 1st May 1895) Officer commanding D Company, 12th Bn K.O.Y.L.I. (Miners, Pioneers) on 1st July 1916. D Coy was timed to “go over the top” at 7.48a.m. on 1st July and this is the watch timed that event in the Battle.
R Ede England’.
Photograph of Private John Jenkinson
What is it? A postcard showing image of a soldier in uniform.
How old is it? Dated 1914 to 1917.
Why is this object important? This postcard shows the image of a local soldier, Private John Jenkinson, who fought and died in WW1. It shows the uniform he wore during the war as part of the King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. He was killed in 1917 and buried at Boyelles Cemetery near Arras.
Where was it found/discovered/made? The postcard was donated to Wakefield Museum by John Jenkinson’s sister in 1985.
What is it made of? Card.
Who was this for? For Private John Jenkinson, possibly to give to his family.
Where is it now? The object is part of Wakefield Museums collections. It is part of the main collections.
John Jenkinson's 'death penny'
What is it? Known as ‘death pennies’, these plaques were awarded posthumously to people from across the British Empire who died in the First World War, including many civilians.
How old is it? Private John Jenkinson was killed in 1917 and buried at Boyelles Cemetery near Arras. This would have been sent to his family after the death and burial.
Why is this object important? Over 1.3 million ‘death pennies’ were issued.
The design of the coin is symbolic. It features Britannia and the British lion standing on the German eagle. The dolphins represent Britain’s naval superiority. The design came from a competition open to anyone of British birth.
The plaques may have been seen as controversial. Some people treasured them and had them specially framed or buried them in place of an actual grave. However, others rejected them on the grounds that they were seen as a very poor substitute for a loved one or an actual marked burial place.
Where was it found/discovered/made? The death penny was donated to Wakefield Museum by John Jenkinson’s sister in 1985.
What is it made of? Metal.
Who was this for? For the family of Private John Jenkinson (King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry).
Where is it now? The object is part of Wakefield Museums collections. It is part of the main collections.
Photograph from the Front
What is it? A photograph taken, perhaps just behind the Front, by John Waldron Wilde.
How old is it? It was taken between 1915 and 1916.
Why is this source important? Photographs taken by soldiers at or near the Front are rare as soldiers were not allowed to have cameras and John would have been in serious trouble had he been caught.
Where is it now? The photograph is on the We Will Remember Them website and is part of the Wakefield Libraries’ collection.
Photograph of members of the Queen Mary’s Army Auxiliary Corps
What is it? A photo of members of the Queen Mary’s Army Auxiliary Corps, previously known as the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC).
How old is it? The photo would have been taken between 1917 and 1919.
Why is this source important? It shows members of the Queen Mary’s Army Auxiliary Corps (QMAAC). They were the women’s unit of the British Army. Their jobs on the front line included working as cooks, nurses and doctors. The photograph shows the uniform the women wore. The lady in the front row in the middle is holding a small cuddly toy which could have been a mascot for the group.
Who would have used this? It is not known why the picture was taken, but may have been taken as a record of the members’ time in the QMAAC.
Where is it now? The photograph is part of West Yorkshire Archive Service collections and is held at Wakefield Archives at the West Yorkshire History Centre.