Children in World War 1
This article is indebted to Helen Murphy of Box School, Eric and Sandra Callaway and Wiltshire Resource Centre
May 2014
The whole village was mobilised for warfare by a fierce propoganda campaign and the vilification of the enemy. Children were encouraged by tales of glory to support the war effort. People contributed money and supplies to finance the war, although it is hard to believe that activities such as blackberry picking served much useful purpose.
Many children were withdrawn from school to help their mothers with farming needs, and attendance certificates (like that of Edward Callaway, left) were issued to encourage education.
Box Schools' Logs
BOYS SCHOOL
1914
August 31st 1914 An old boy named Fisher was killed when HMS Amphion was struck by a German mine.[1]
September 7th 1914 Mr Bradfield has enlisted in the Army and has left the school. This leaves only myself and Miss Sweeney to carry on the work. Handiwork must perforce be dropped and copybook lessons will largely take its place.
1915
May 21st 1915 As a result of a collection the sum of 15s was raised to send comforts to the troops.
June 4th 1915 A good week's work has been done. Three boys have left, two for employment in agriculture and one left the village.
June 11th 1915 Two more boys have left to be employed in agriculture.
1916
November 24th 1916 Work has proceeded as usual this week and the attendance has considerably improved. Constant removals of families owing to the War is decreasing the numbers on the registers.
BOYS SCHOOL
1914
August 31st 1914 An old boy named Fisher was killed when HMS Amphion was struck by a German mine.[1]
September 7th 1914 Mr Bradfield has enlisted in the Army and has left the school. This leaves only myself and Miss Sweeney to carry on the work. Handiwork must perforce be dropped and copybook lessons will largely take its place.
1915
May 21st 1915 As a result of a collection the sum of 15s was raised to send comforts to the troops.
June 4th 1915 A good week's work has been done. Three boys have left, two for employment in agriculture and one left the village.
June 11th 1915 Two more boys have left to be employed in agriculture.
1916
November 24th 1916 Work has proceeded as usual this week and the attendance has considerably improved. Constant removals of families owing to the War is decreasing the numbers on the registers.
1917
October 18th 1917 A half holiday was given this afternoon to enable the children to gather blackberries for the troops.
October 19th 1917 Nearly 1½ cwt were gathered jointly yesterday by the boys and girls.
October 11th 1917 Took boys of Standards V, VI, and VII to gather chestnuts.
October 22nd 1917 Another half holiday for blackberrying.
October 23rd 1917 135lb of berries were sent to Chippenham
October 30th 1917 The Headmaster left the school at 11.40 in the morning to assist with a convoy of wounded at Corsham. He was present at the opening of afternoon school.
October 18th 1917 A half holiday was given this afternoon to enable the children to gather blackberries for the troops.
October 19th 1917 Nearly 1½ cwt were gathered jointly yesterday by the boys and girls.
October 11th 1917 Took boys of Standards V, VI, and VII to gather chestnuts.
October 22nd 1917 Another half holiday for blackberrying.
October 23rd 1917 135lb of berries were sent to Chippenham
October 30th 1917 The Headmaster left the school at 11.40 in the morning to assist with a convoy of wounded at Corsham. He was present at the opening of afternoon school.
1918
September 23rd 1918 Half holiday for blackberrying
September 24th 1918 Another half holiday for blackberrying
October 1st 1918 Half holiday for blackberrying
October 5th 1918 Half holiday for blackberrying
October 15th 1918 Half holiday for blackberrying
October 17th 1918 Half holiday for blackberrying
October 23rd 1918 135lb of berries were sent to Chippenham
October 24th 1918 The temperature today is 46° F.
Instructed cleaner to light fires. He refused using bad language
1919
July 23rd 1919 School closed all day today for Peace Sports
September 23rd 1918 Half holiday for blackberrying
September 24th 1918 Another half holiday for blackberrying
October 1st 1918 Half holiday for blackberrying
October 5th 1918 Half holiday for blackberrying
October 15th 1918 Half holiday for blackberrying
October 17th 1918 Half holiday for blackberrying
October 23rd 1918 135lb of berries were sent to Chippenham
October 24th 1918 The temperature today is 46° F.
Instructed cleaner to light fires. He refused using bad language
1919
July 23rd 1919 School closed all day today for Peace Sports
GIRLS SCHOOL
1919
July 16th 1919 We close school after this afternoon's session for one week, this being the holiday granted in honour of Peace.
21st July 1919 Work is being carried on today under great inconvenience, all classes working in one room, the classroom having been commandeered after the Peace Celebration tea.
23rd July 1919 The Sports having been postponed on Sat owing to inclement weather, a holiday was given today that they might take place.
INFANTS SCHOOL
1919
July 23rd 1919 A whole (day's) holiday has been granted for the children's' sports which could not be held on Saturday last when Peace was celebrated, on account of bad weather.
November 11th 1919 The children have been told about the Armistice signed a year ago today and two minutes silence for thanks to God have been observed.
REFERENCES
[1] HMS Amphion was the first Royal Naval ship to be sunk in the First World War on 6th August 1914, two days after war was declared. One hundred and fifty British sailors were killed as well as eighteen Germans who had been rescued earlier from their vessel Königin Luise.
1919
July 16th 1919 We close school after this afternoon's session for one week, this being the holiday granted in honour of Peace.
21st July 1919 Work is being carried on today under great inconvenience, all classes working in one room, the classroom having been commandeered after the Peace Celebration tea.
23rd July 1919 The Sports having been postponed on Sat owing to inclement weather, a holiday was given today that they might take place.
INFANTS SCHOOL
1919
July 23rd 1919 A whole (day's) holiday has been granted for the children's' sports which could not be held on Saturday last when Peace was celebrated, on account of bad weather.
November 11th 1919 The children have been told about the Armistice signed a year ago today and two minutes silence for thanks to God have been observed.
REFERENCES
[1] HMS Amphion was the first Royal Naval ship to be sunk in the First World War on 6th August 1914, two days after war was declared. One hundred and fifty British sailors were killed as well as eighteen Germans who had been rescued earlier from their vessel Königin Luise.
Empire Day at School and for Adults
Eric Callaway contributed these two certificates that his father received whilst at school.
The Empire Day certificate of 1915 commemorated the donations that schoolboy Edward Callaway made to the war effort.
This was the first time that the whole nation had been mobilised to play a part in the war effort. Everywhere people were reminded that they were expected to play a part in the fight which both sides portrayed as a war against an evil oppressor.
Eric Callaway contributed these two certificates that his father received whilst at school.
The Empire Day certificate of 1915 commemorated the donations that schoolboy Edward Callaway made to the war effort.
This was the first time that the whole nation had been mobilised to play a part in the war effort. Everywhere people were reminded that they were expected to play a part in the fight which both sides portrayed as a war against an evil oppressor.
The German nation felt that the British Empire was too dominant and undermined the opportunities of the German nation.
Britain ruled a great part of the world as shown in the Empire Day certificate of 1916. It shows great parts of the world coloured red to signify that they were part of the British Empire.
The German government saw this control as excessive. They wanted a measure of equality which they believed the British military machine was refusing them.
Britain ruled a great part of the world as shown in the Empire Day certificate of 1916. It shows great parts of the world coloured red to signify that they were part of the British Empire.
The German government saw this control as excessive. They wanted a measure of equality which they believed the British military machine was refusing them.
