When you’re a historian of the First World War, there isn’t much that doesn’t interest in you. From details of large scale offensives, to the fine details that you find when only reading through a war diary. And it is one of these details that has piqued my interest today and resulted in this blogContinue reading “War Diary Discoveries”
Tag Archives: World War One
Remember in November…
November is a peculiar month. The wonderful colours of autumn are mostly gone, the days are getting shorter, and the weather is getting colder. It also isn’t quite close enough to Christmas to start getting the decorations out or embracing the Christmas music (however tempting!). Regardless of this, November is also a very special month,Continue reading “Remember in November…”
The Worcesters at Gheluvelt: 31st October 1914
1914 saw the start of a conflict that was unlike any other up to the point in time. A war involving countries from around the world, pitting the largest European powers against each other. For the British, this manifested in the many months and years of fighting in France and Belgium, and other parts ofContinue reading “The Worcesters at Gheluvelt: 31st October 1914”
My favourite time to guide…
As a military historian, battlefield enthusiast and all-round history nerd(!) I take great pleasure in going to the Western Front with and without groups to discover new places and new stories. As a battlefield guide, I have spent many a rainy and windy day telling students about the First World War and hope to doContinue reading “My favourite time to guide…”
46th (North Midland) Division at the Hohenzollern Redoubt
As you will be well aware by now, I have been highlighting some of the key battles that the 46th (North Midland) Division participated in during the First World War. So far, I have written about Gommecourt in 1916, Lens in 1917 and the St Quentin Canal in 1918. For this particular blog post, weContinue reading “46th (North Midland) Division at the Hohenzollern Redoubt”
46th (North Midland) Division – Battle of the St Quentin Canal – 29th September 1918
In previous posts about the 46th (North Midland) Division, I have often highlighted the, what I believe to be, unfair assessments made of the division’s capabilities after the attack on the village of Gommecourt on 1st July 1916. The reputation of having ‘a lack of offensive spirit’ followed the division until almost the end ofContinue reading “46th (North Midland) Division – Battle of the St Quentin Canal – 29th September 1918”
What happened during the First World War? – September Part 2
Due to there being a large number of significant events in September, this post had to be split in two parts. This is Part 2, make sure not to miss Part 1! 1916 1st – Bulgaria declares war on Romania. 3rd – The Battle of Guillemont – a phase of the Battle of the SommeContinue reading “What happened during the First World War? – September Part 2”
What happened during the First World War? – September Part 1
This is Part 1 of 2 in highlighting key dates of the First World War in September. I have had to split up September as there was simply too much that happened during that month throughout the war, and the posts will still be incredibly long! 1914 1st – The Action at Néry took placeContinue reading “What happened during the First World War? – September Part 1”
46th (North Midland) Division – Lens 1st July 1917
A while back, I published a post about the 46th (North Midland) Division. I have decided that I will write a post about each of the main attacks that the division was involved in during the First World War, starting with the attack on Lens/Liévin in July 1917. 1st July 1916 was not a goodContinue reading “46th (North Midland) Division – Lens 1st July 1917”
Part 3 of Portrayals of the First World War in Media: Beneath Hill 60
As part of an ongoing feature, every so often I will be watching a film, TV series or documentary and assessing how I feel is represents the First World War. I won’t be giving a complete run down of the media sources that I write about, but I hope to give an insight into theContinue reading “Part 3 of Portrayals of the First World War in Media: Beneath Hill 60”
What happened during the First World War? -August
Continuing on with this monthly series on key events that happened during this First World War, this post will focus on what happened during the month of August. 1914 1st – Germany declares war on Russia and mobilizes its army. France also commences mobilisation. Italy declares its neutrality in the coming conflict. Denmark, Sweden andContinue reading “What happened during the First World War? -August”
The task continues…
Last week I wrote a post about a research task that I had set for myself during lockdown; to find out how many men from my town were killed during the First World War. Whilst carrying out this task, I found that four men were had received gallantry awards; two being awarded the Distinguished ConductContinue reading “The task continues…”
A lockdown task…
I live in a town called Rowley Regis in the West Midlands. The town itself is more like a district in size and as such, there are five smaller towns that make up the wider area which are Blackheath, Whiteheath, Rowley Village, Old Hill and Cradley Heath. When I went out one day for myContinue reading “A lockdown task…”
Part 2 of Portrayals of the First World War in Media: The Water Diviner
As part of an ongoing feature, every so often I will be watching a film, TV series or documentary and assessing how I feel is represents the First World War. I won’t be giving a complete run down of the media sources that I write about, but I hope to give an insight into theContinue reading “Part 2 of Portrayals of the First World War in Media: The Water Diviner”
What happened during the First World War? – July
1914 5th – Austria-Hungary seeks German support for a war against Serbia in case of Russian militarism. Germany gives assurances of support, the famous ‘blank cheque’. 23rd – The beginning of the ‘Black Week’. Austria-Hungary sends an ultimatum to Serbia, demanding (among other criteria) that Serbia formally and publicly condemn the “dangerous propaganda” against Austria-Hungary,Continue reading “What happened during the First World War? – July”
1st July 1916: A Diversion
Today is the anniversary of the First Day of the Battle of the Somme. There are any number of stories that I could have chosen to cover to honour this day. I could have done an overall view of the first day itself. Maybe focusing on a unit and their outcomes on the day. Instead,Continue reading “1st July 1916: A Diversion”
An update…
This week has been a bit of a whirlwind for me, in the best possible way! I have found myself exceedingly busy with a new venture so I thought I’d let you know what I have been up to! On Sunday evening, along with the historian Alexandra Churchill, I became a co-founder of a newContinue reading “An update…”
Part 1 of Portrayals of the First World War in the Media: All Quiet on the Western Front
As part of a new feature, every so often I will be watching a film, TV series or documentary and assessing how I feel is represents the First World War. I won’t be giving a complete run down of the media sources that I write about, but I hope to give an insight into theContinue reading “Part 1 of Portrayals of the First World War in the Media: All Quiet on the Western Front”
What happened during the First World War? – June
This post is the next in a series, giving a monthly overview of some of the key events that happened throughout the First World War. 1914 28th – The assassination of the Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sophie by Gavrilo Princip. The Archduke and his wife were visiting Sarajevo in Bosnia when they wereContinue reading “What happened during the First World War? – June”
The presence of the First World War in our lives today…
The First World War was a watershed moment in world history. It had an impact on so many parts of life that it is inescapable, even to this day. A few examples of that include the way in which certain phrases have become part of the English Language (please read my blog post about thisContinue reading “The presence of the First World War in our lives today…”
The ‘Silent Cities’ of the Western Front – Part 3
Welcome to Part 3 in my continuing series of cemeteries that have personal importance and significance to me. I hope you are enjoying this series of posts. If you have missed posts, you can find them in the My Blog section of the website. First on the list for this post is Aveluy Wood (LancashireContinue reading “The ‘Silent Cities’ of the Western Front – Part 3”
46th (North Midland) Division – A General History
The First World War has a very significant place in the collective memory of the United Kingdom, and other countries around the world for many reasons. One of those reasons being that ordinary young men who had never considered being in the armed forces before, were now enlisting in droves. The rapid expansion and recruitmentContinue reading “46th (North Midland) Division – A General History”
How the First World War is remembered in New Zealand – Part 2
Welcome to Part 2 of my post highlighting the many ways in which New Zealand remembers its war dead. This post picks up where we left off, by entering into the capital city Wellington. In Wellington, there were many examples that I could discuss in this blog post. For the sake of simplicity, I willContinue reading “How the First World War is remembered in New Zealand – Part 2”
How the First World War is remembered in New Zealand – Part 1
In September 2018, I was incredibly lucky to spend three weeks in one of the most beautiful countries in the world, New Zealand. In this blog post, I will take you on a journey through New Zealand showing examples of how the First World War is remembered throughout the country. New Zealand, like its AustralianContinue reading “How the First World War is remembered in New Zealand – Part 1”
How the First World War is still present in the English Language…
The English language has evolved throughout the centuries to become what we know it to be today. In fact, it is still evolving and changing before us today, with the introduction to the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) of words such as ‘selfie’ ‘chillax’ and ‘cryptocurrency’. Significant events have also had an impact on the developmentContinue reading “How the First World War is still present in the English Language…”
The ‘Silent Cities’ of the Western Front – Part 2
Welcome to the second in the series of my favourite cemeteries of the Western Front. As with the previous post, these are all cemeteries and memorials that are maintained by the CWGC who do a fantastic job all year round, making sure these sites are looked after in the right manner. If you haven’t already,Continue reading “The ‘Silent Cities’ of the Western Front – Part 2”
Life behind the trenches…
Contrary to popular belief, soldiers in the First World War did not spend all of their times fighting or in front line trenches. For the average soldier, he could expect to spend four days in the front line trenches, four days in support/reserve trenches, and four days out of the lines for rest and recuperation.Continue reading “Life behind the trenches…”
What happened during the First World War? – May
In this special monthly post, I will be highlighting key dates throughout the First World War. This post features the key events that happened during the month of May. 1915 7th – The sinking of the RMS Lusitania. In the autumn of 1914, the Royal Navy started a blockade preventing imports from getting to GermanyContinue reading “What happened during the First World War? – May”
Life in the trenches…
If you ask someone to tell you what they know about the First World War, one of the first things that comes up is ‘soldiers in trenches.’ The trenches are undoubtedly one of the key and defining elements of the period and there has been much written about them. This blog post will be aContinue reading “Life in the trenches…”
The ‘Silent cities’ of the Western Front – Part 1
As a battlefield guide, I spend a lot of time around cemeteries and memorials. From a practical perspective, there are lots of key and interesting stories that you can tell whilst in a cemetery or by a memorial. You may have a Victoria Cross winner, family members buried or commemorated near to each other orContinue reading “The ‘Silent cities’ of the Western Front – Part 1”
How I became a battlefield tour guide…
I am incredibly lucky in the fact that I get to do something that I love as a job. I am a battlefield tour guide for Anglia Tours, and I spend my time doing what I am most passionate about, talking about the First World War. When I tell people that I am a battlefieldContinue reading “How I became a battlefield tour guide…”
What happened during the First World War? – April
In this special monthly post, I will be highlighting key dates throughout the First World War. This post features the key events that happened during the month of April. 1915 22nd – The Second Battle of Ypres begins at 1700 with the first large scale deployment of poison gas by the Germans against French territorialContinue reading “What happened during the First World War? – April”
A History of Me
Hi there and welcome to the first History & Moore blog post! To begin with, I thought I’d take the opportunity to go into a bit more detail about how I got to be so interested in military history and how it led me to where I am today. I have always been interested inContinue reading “A History of Me”
historyandmoore.com 