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Villages at War
Longworth & District History Society have done research on local World War One soldiers. Information about the soldiers and their families has has been gathered from a variety of sources and is now displayed on the 'Villages at War' website. -
Women in the First World War - through an Oxfordshire lens (podcast)
In this presentation, Stephen Barker talks about women in Oxfordshire during the First World War -
Soldiers of Oxfordshire 1914-18 : Some local perspectives (podcast)
In this presentation, Stephen Barker talks about the soldiers of Oxfordshire who took part in the First World War -
Belgian Refugees in Oxford 1914-19 (podcast)
In this presentation, Stephen Barker talks about the Belgian refugees who came to Oxford during the First World War. -
Orthopaedics in Oxford – the role of WWI in the history of NDORMS
An introduction to the role of WWI in the history of NDORMS -
Orthopaedics in Oxford
Information about the role of WWI in the history of NDORMS can be found on the NDORMS site https://www.ndorms.ox.ac.uk/news/orthopaedics-in-oxford-2013-the-role-of-wwi-in-the-history-of-ndorms -
Shoemakers' ledgers
How do the ledgers from a shoemakers' shop relate to the First World War? One very poignant and thought-provoking answer can be found in the ledgers of the venerable Oxford shoemaker, Ducker & Son. When 'Duckers' recently closed, after trading for over a century, the Bodleian Libraries purchased some of the ledgers, a unique piece of history which provides a glimpse into the lives of the shop’s clients. Amongst them are two brothers, Charles Edward and Ashley WN Ponsonby. They bought their shoes from Duckers and Son, and their purchases are listed under their names in the ledgers. For Charles, the older brother, the purchases start before the war and continue afterwards. For Ashley, however, the records stop after a last purchase - one pair of marching boots - dated September 23rd 1914. Ashley Ponsonby, a Captain in the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, was killed in action on 8 September 1915 in the battle of Givenchy, aged 34. ------ The Ducker and Son ledgers for 1910-1963 have been purchased by the Bodleian Libraries. The ledgers have been catalogued and are now available for scholars to consult. The catalogue can be found online at: http://www.bodley.ox.ac.uk/dept/scwmss/wmss/online/modern/ducker-son/ducker-son.html. -
The Pitt Rivers Trails App
Visit the Pitt Rivers Museum and use this app to find and learn about twelve artefacts related to the First World War. The free app is available for both Android and iPhone devices. It can be downloaded from the App store or Google Play (links on https://www.prm.ox.ac.uk/app ) -
Joseph Sobolewski
Joseph Sobolewski came from Russia (modern Lithuania). He was born in Kalwary on 28th December 1872 andarrived in UK c.1900. His identity book (issued July 1918) includes a picture of him and thumbprint (because he was illiterate). According to the book, he was a cabinet maker and he is described as being 5’4 tall, medium build with blue eyes and brown hair. He is listed as a Russian Pole. The book also includes police stamps – these were to check movements (i.e. had to check-in with police when they moved). His passport, issued in 1918 by the Polish national committee, confirms him as Josef Sobolewski, an ‘alien friend.’ Numbered R/M G.A/513 (museum number [?]). It lists his children Anna (b. 1904) and Josef (b. 1906) and includes photograph (2 copies of same photograph in a strip). It gives the names of his parents, Bartomiej Sobolewski and Marjanna Kupszynska, and wife, Marjanna Kaminska. (In the British Identity book, the names are given as Bartholomew Sobolewski, Mary Kupchinska, and Mary Kumenska). The back page of the passport includes information about the issuing of the passport – idea that Poles who were sympathetic were listed as ‘alien friends’ Joseph and Marjanna Sobolweski were the maternal great-grandparents of the contributor who shared the story and pictures at the Oxford at War 1914-1918 Roadshow on 12 Nov 2016. -
Capt Peter Spencer Spokes
Peter Spencer Spokes was born in December 1893. He was a student at Queens College, University of Oxford (matriculated 1912) and a member of the University’s contingent of the Officers training corps. He commenced his army service on January 20, 1915 and joined the London Regiment on 9th March 1915. He served briefly in France but fell ill (flu) and returned to train new officers in the Officers training corps. He was an only child so his father was very pleased that he could come home. After the war, Spokes finished his studies (BA). He read Geology and then forestry. He worked as the Secretary of Commonwealth Forestry Institute. When they ran out of money in the 1930s, he lost his job with 5 children to look after. Later he went back as a librarian to the school of forestry and did a lot to collect journals from overseas. Went on to be an air raid warden in the Second World War. He suffered from war service – very serious and didn’t really want to go abroad. He was on the Oxford City Council and became Lord Mayor. He also worked at the Bodleian Library. As a local historian he did lot for Local History in Oxford and also wrote a book about Oxford Among the shared files is a photo of him driving that he sent to his aunt. He did not like public transport – had to drive. There are also images of his service book, with note of the dates of his promotion and a statement from his commanding officer. Peter Spencer Spokes passed away in 1978. The story and objects have been shared by his daughter who has also written a book about him: ‘The life of Peter Spencer Spokes’ by Ann Spokes Symonds (1996) privately published but available at the Bodleian http://solo.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/OXVU1:LSCOP_OX:oxfaleph012087193(This story and material was shared at the Oxford at War 1914-1918 Roadshow on 12 Nov 2016) -
Letters from a French soldier in a German POW camp
Jean Larrue was born on the 23.07.1885 and came from SW France near Bordeaux. He served in the French army with 95th infantry regiment, 35th company. Signed SP or LP 182. He was captured at the end of the battle of Chemin-des-Dames, and made prisoner on the 27.05.1918. When captured, he was with the 64eme Infanterie, 10eme Cie. His conscription number was 1643. On the day he was made prisoner there was a gas attack by the Germans, followed by the invasion of the French positions using flamethrower. Larrue was among 1,500 members of the regiment who disappeared that day. A number of letters written by Larrue survive, written between 1918 and the end of the war to his family, wife and in-laws during his time in captivity in Gefangenenlager, village Neuhammer. The first letter from the Lamsdorf Camp was dated 28.10.18, 5 months after his capture. Presumably the family had been without news for all that time. The letters have similar content and say that he’s well and is receiving parcels from his wife. He sometimes asks for food and tobacco. Some letters were written in pencil but are still readable as they are so well preserved. Most have the stamps of German censorship. There are also letters by the Red Cross informing the family of the POW`s condition. One of the letters is sent from the front rather than the camp - 10 May 1917. He writes about monthly rent. He was then still with the 95 Infantry. The letters are being shared by Larrue’s great-great grandson who was recently given them by an aunt. (This story and material was shared at the Oxford at War 1914-1918 Roadshow on 12 Nov 2016) -
Charles Wheeler - Letters home
Charles Wheeler from Oakley was born on 1 December 1899. He was the the great-uncle of teh contributor. Wheeler left school at 12. He was conscripted on his 18th birthday 1 December 1916 and joined the Machine Gun Corps. He was captured in April 1918 and died 9 July 1918. During his time in the army he sent 127 letters home, including the first letter from training in Dec 1916, first letter from the front, notification of missing 21 March 1918, first letter as POW 10 June 1918, several notifications of death. Among the letters is one about his friend from the same village who won a VC, and letter from his friend about his cause of death. The material was passed on to the participant from his uncle. In addition to the letters, the family has his identity disc and address book and digitized photographs. All material has been transcribed and will be part of an upcoming Soldiers of Oxfordshire (SOFO) exhibition. There are also photographs of the family’s pilgrimage to the war grave in Le Quesnoy (France). All key information included in genealogy that is available upon request. (This story and material was shared at the Oxford at War 1914-1918 Roadshow on 12 Nov 2016) -
Field glasses, Edward Sykes
Field glasses belonged to Edward Sykes, great-uncle of the contributor. Sykes was drafted in the last Tottenham-Edmonton area of London (Middlesex Regt). He survived the war and lived a long life. Served mostly in Belgium, wounded in the Somme area when a bullet went through leg. The glasses were issued to him. War stories from E Sykes Edward Sykes did not talk much about the war but a few stories survive. At the end of the war he was walking down a road in Belgium when an officer on horseback announced armistice. Sykes and his compatriots didn’t understand what that was (partly because they were tired). On the day Edward was wounded in the leg, his mom claimed she also felt a sharp pain in the leg. Sykes stayed in camps before demobilization. He took courses while in camp, enrolled in course at Northumberland Fusiliers barracks. He was there during a soldiers’ mutiny at the barracks and felt compelled to join in the mutiny. He was not punished after the munity was put down and he was sent back to his unit. Walked back to his own camp and stopped for the night at a house that billeted with Canadian soldiers, stayed for three weeks, slept in the attic. After three weeks a Canadian NCO questioned them and they were driven back to their camp, confined to barracks for three weeks as punishment for AWL. After the war, Sykes did not immediately find work. Ultimately he found work as a bottle-washer and eventually became foreman of bonded warehouse on the Thames. He used his skills as a rat-killer which he had acquired in the trenches to kill rats in the warehouse. Moved to Gloucestershire after London. Family very religious. The contributor only knew his uncle after he was retired. His aunt told him the story of the time when Edward’s wife found him crying while watching television. It appears that the programme had reminded him of his friend Billy who was shot in the stomach and died in Edward’s arms. He had never spoken about it - the first time was when he felt the memory while watching television. The glasses were given to the great-nephew (contributor) a few years ago. The great-nephew doesn’t remember much about why Edward gave him the glasses, though he remembers having shown some interest in history so this is probably why Edward gave him the glasses. He now keeps the glasses wrapped in cloth, in a cupboard. He only knew his great-uncle after he was retired. (This story and material was shared at the Oxford at War 1914-1918 Roadshow on 12 Nov 2016) -
Remembering before the End: Death and the Great War (video)
Examining the many inventive and moving ways in which people began to mourn and commemorate their loved ones while WW1 was still ongoing and before official acts of public memory were established. The winning entry of the TORCH and Academic IT Services WW1 Research Competition 2016. (click on film image below or watch on the Oxford Podcasts page) -
Oxford University Images
Images with a connection to the First World War in Oxford, held in the University's online digital media library. -
George John Fawdrey
George John Fawdrey, was born on 19th June 1885 and died 22nd January 1975, just before reaching his 90th Birthday. He was a chauffeur at Kingston House, Kingston Bagpuize, where he met and later married on 26th December 1914, Edith Townsend who was in service at nearby Cote House. Before the First World War George Fawdrey had a taxicab in St.Giles Oxford. He had planned to emigrate to America and join relatives who first settled in New York State in 1834. George purchased a ticket to travel on the S.S.Titanic in April 1912, but sold it at the last minute. He instead went to America on the Lusitania, possibly meeting successful dentist, Dr.David Fawdrey, but no sooner had he arrived, when it received word from England that his brother Percy was seriously ill. He returned to the U.K., but was too late to see his brother, Percy who died 8th May, 1912. George Fawdrey entered service with the Army Service Corps of the Oxford and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry. He was used to driving vehicles, and drove ambulances with his unit. He is shown on the left in the photograph as a lance corporal with his men. At various times, he had to go into "no man's land." On one occasion, he feinted being dead, and was left by the Germans on a dung heap. He was also court marshalled and almost shot at dawn by the British Army, possibly for desertion, although more likely as consequence of "shell shock," which was not understood at the time. After the war, he received an army pension, exactly why I do not know? He had horrific nightmares and flashbacks as a result of shell shock experienced in the war, which was difficult for his wife Edith, and my mother was often sent from Oxford on a horse carriage to stay with her grand parents at Kingston Bagpuize, which she much enjoyed. My mother was born on 6th October 1915, and her first recollection of her father was of a man with a bristly moustache, which she did not much like. Her father George, had a stubborn strong determination, yet could be emotionally touched when people came to visit him. He was always mending and fixing things, something as a young child I benefited, from this as he would bring home and repair cast off toys from Ellistons department store, where he worked on the boilers and lifts before retirement. Details supplied by his grandson:- David Stone, MSc. -
Fredrick William Blewitt
Born 6-12-1881 in Lichfield Staffs 12-4-1915 enlisted in the R.A.S.C. at Lichfield. Joined the 6th Battalion The North Staffordshire Regiment A company Army Service Corps,(RASC). He undertook training near Derby before proceeded to France landing at Boulogne in August 1915 as part of the Sherwood Foresters Brigade. They moved to Bomy beginning a period of intensive training for the Battles of the Somme. These inexperienced troops joined those who had battle experience in the front line trenches and had to learn from them very quickly. July 1916 They were in action in The Battle of Albert. British attacked south of the road between the villages of Albert and Bapaume, the road was eventually captured on 4 July, Bernafay and Caterpillar woods were occupied from 3–4 July and then fighting to capture Trônes Wood, Mametz Wood and Contalmaison took place until early on 14 July, when the Battle of Bazentin Ridge (14–17 July) began. During this period in 1916 the German's started gas attacks on the British troops. It may be at this time Fredrick was subject to a gas attack which permanently damaged his lungs. 31-8-1916 he was transferred to the Labour Corps. Many injured but serviceable soldiers transferred to labour corps to help with logistics and transport of supplies and ammunition to the front line using horse drawn carts. Fredrick would have been ideal for this role as he had traded and worked with horses on farms around his town of Lichfield Staffordshire before the war. 7-3-1918 moved to the Labour Base Unit Deport in Belgium. 11.11.1918 Ended the war at Bermissart west of Mons, Belgium. February 1919 moved to reserve army returning to England for Demobilisation. 3-6-1919 re-enlisted in the Labour Corps (due to lack of work in England) . 8-8-1919 returned to France to help with post war clear up. 30-1-1920 Sent to the 58th Casualty Clearing Station ( Lillers area?)with lung problems. 31-1-1920 returned to England to the 1st City of London General Hospital for observation. 18-2-20 Discharged as Physically Unfit from the army. Fredrick managed to bring back 2 canon shells engraved with the name of the village of Albert. German prisoners of war enbossed them with Alpine style scenes presumably views from where the they had lived. The prisoners would swap this type of trench art for additional food or cigarettes. After the war he moved to the village of Fradley Staffordshire with his wife Caroline and lived in a thatched cottage for many years. Here is where he brought up his family including my father Joseph Charles Blewitt who became an Oxford Councillor and Lord Mayor of Oxford. Fredrick like many ex soldiers came back to a country that had moved on dramatically socially. Very little work for unskilled men and women taking factory jobs meant he had to take any casual and low paid work that he could manage especially with his damaged lungs. His previous knowledge of horses allowed him to deal and trade at the horse auctions. Unfortunately he also had a habit of spending the profits in the public houses on the way home. This would earn him a beating by his diminutive wife when he staggered home. Caroline took in washing and worked occasionally for a well off families near by. There were no hand outs or benefits in those days. Fredrick passed away in hospital on 9-12-1960 aged 79. -
Objects belonging to Bill Tailor
Objects belong to ex-serviceman – Bill(?) Tailor b. 1890s(?), d. late 1970s The contributor volunteered to visit elderly people and met him as part of this. He gave the objects to her. Envelope with address: His address when he enlisted – 63 Filey Road Reading Numbered 625 Labelled ‘Shop by Telephone’ Envelope contents: embroidered souvenir card. Front of card: Royal Engineers embroidered badge. Reverse of card reads: ‘Molèle déposé – Copywright by G. & Ltd. London, J.M.T.’ [suggestion: ‘modèle déposé@(?) registered design?] Cushion cover: Embroidered with anchor design. (Royal Naval Division Officer’s cap badge – early?) (This story and material was shared at the Oxford at War 1914-1918 Roadshow on 12 Nov 2016) -
Worcester College's War Memorial
As part of its centenary commemorations, Worcester College has created an online memorial that gives details about each of the men who died in the First World War, many profiles have supporting photographs. -
Exeter's Roll of Honour
The College's roll documents each of the men who served in the First World War. It includes key personal details about each of the students and staff as well a number of moving poems in the opening pages. -
Balliol’s War memorial book
This memorial book includes potted biographies of each of the Balliol men who served in the First World War, including Raymond Asquith, son of the former UK Prime Minister, Right Hon H. H. Asquith. -
Corpus Christi College's First World War Memorial
This online memorial gives detailed accounts of each of the men who served in WW1 from the college. -
Christ Church College's First World War Memorial
As part of its centenary commemorations, Christ Church has created an online memorial that gives details about each of the men who served from the college, many have supporting photographs. -
Mr Jarret's watch
When I was 7 or 8 years old, we lived in a council house in Iffley, Oxford. The rent was 7.6/week. My father worked in Lucy's, the foundry in Jericho. Like so many other families at that time, we had a lodger. Mr Jarret (spelling uncertain: Jarrett, Jarett, Jaret?). I do not know where he came from or how old he was - whey you are as young as I was, you think everyone over 20 is old. I remember that he sat in a chair and smoked a pipe. We didn’t talk much. I think he was with us for about 18 months, 2 years. Mr Jarret had a pocket watch that he said he had had with him when in the trenches. When he died, my father said I could have it. It used to have a silver chain but someone else got that. The watch has grease proof paper in the back. Mr Jarret said this oiled the work. I have kept it ever since. I have never used it as a watch, I don't think it ever worked. Maybe that is was it was given to me, a mere child. -
Oxford Examination Schools
The historic Grade II listed Examination Schools is located on the main High Street in Oxford and was built by Thomas Jackson between 1876 and 1882. Its primary and original purpose was for the holding of University examinations as the number of exams had begun to increase as Oxford moved away from a reliance on oral exams more towards the current written format. It stands out on the High Street as one of the larger and more grandiose buildings with its Jacobean style and has also been the site of many public lectures and historic debates in its grand, large lecture rooms. During the Great War the number of undergraduate students in residence in Oxford fell sharply and examinations were not held regularly so the building was established and maintained as the 3rd Southern General military hospital, a territorial-force hospital. Although arrangements had been put in place by the War Office to use the Examination Schools two years before the war started, it appears it came as quite a shock to the Clerk of the Schools who quickly had to prepare for the imminent change in the use of the building. The hospital was officially opened on 16 August 1914 with a ceremony attended by the Bishop of Oxford and there were ten different branches in Oxford spread around the city and within some of the colleges. The large writing schools upstairs and numerous rooms on the ground floor held 346 beds which included 94 beds for orthopaedic cases and 25 nerve cases. In the quad, cabins were erected as additional temporary structures. The Schools was able to house 336 officers and 1,210 personnel from other ranks. A declaration from the Government on display in the building acknowledges the gratitude of the nation for the loan of the building and at the end of the war the University was given some funds to restore the building so examinations could be held again. In the basement area some of the storage rooms for the Schools were converted to an operating theatre and resuscitation rooms and the signs above the doors are still visible today. A rather grisly lead-lined bath lurks in the corner of one of the storage rooms used to cleanse the bodies of some of those unfortunate casualties of the war. There are several portraits around the building of Oxford individuals who were connected to the Great War; the portrait of Lord Curzon in the North School (Chancellor of the University) who drew the Curzon line to mark the border of Poland after the war; the portrait of Emperor Wilhelm II (granted an honorary doctorate by Oxford in 1907) in the South School which was removed during the War and stored in the basement until it was rehung in 1957; and Viscount Grey in room 7 (Chancellor of the University) who was Foreign Secretary in the War and noted for the remark that ‘the lamps are going out all over Europe…’. For further information contact james.tibbert@admin.ox.ac.uk (This story and material was shared at the Oxford at War 1914-1918 Roadshow on 12 Nov 2016) -
School photograph from 1914
This photograph was passed to the contributor by his father. It is a school photograph from St Peter and Paul’s school (a Catholic School in Ilford, East London) taken in 1914.It comes with a greaseproof paper sheet – composed by the contributor’s father – with the names of the children written on it. Shows a mixed age group of children. The contributor's grandfather – Tom McGovern - is in the second row from the bottom, next to his sister Maggie.Some of the children are Belgian refugees – some of their names are included on the greaseproof paper. The reverse of the photo has a handwritten note.(This story and material was shared at the Oxford at War 1914-1918 Roadshow on 12 Nov 2016) -
William Reginald Harold Brown (M.C.)
William Reginald Harold Brown (M.C.) was born in Oxford. He lived in Botley Road and then Abbey Road and then the family moved to Hillview Road. He joined the Territorial Army when he was 17.5 years old. Before the War he worked at Oxford Times as a printer, then joined the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry before the Somerset Light Infantry. He has described his war experience in his memoirs, which he printed himself (being a printer). The document includes the story of how he was awarded the M.C. During a stint in Somerset Light Infantry, he was leading group of 3-4 men forwards when they stumbled upon a German machine gun post. Under fire he dragged one of his men back 100 yards under fire. A shell blast in the War made him deaf. He wasn’t invalided out but was in until the end but he couldn’t work with machines afterwards, so he changed jobs to be a proof reader. He had a big ear trumpet that his grand-son remembers - would shout into it to get him to hear. He retired before WWII, quite young, thanks to his war pension. The family had several houses and had an income from rent. His mother didn’t like the idea of him cycling around the Plain. He was from Morrell Avenue off the bottom of Headington Hill by South Park. Newspaper and printers used to be a New Inn Hall, Shoe Lane. He was married to a woman whose maiden name was Rogers. They were the maternal grandparents of the contributor. When Mr Brown died, of old age, the only known existing copy of his memoirs was his own; not certain if he had given it to other people. There are no changes/margin notes. (This story and material was shared at the Oxford at War 1914-1918 Roadshow on 12 Nov 2016) -
Wilfred Tolson
Wiliam Tolson was born in the 1880s, possibly in a military family. His father had fought in the Boer war. When the First World War started, Wilfred Tolson was a professional soldier in the Oxford Light Infantry. In 1916 he was promoted major from second lieutenant. He was wounded at the Somme. He lived in Ealing before the war potentially. Served in India after the war (his son born in 1922 and they went there shortly after). OBJECTS: Helmet in its box with his name and regiment on it. Photograph kept in the same box, featuring Tolson in uniform, 1905, inscription in pencil at the back with his name and regiment.(This story and material was shared at the Oxford at War 1914-1918 Roadshow on 12 Nov 2016) -
Photographs from a Merchant Vessel
Alfred Cooper was a keen photographer. During the war, he served on the HMT or SS Marthara (merchant vessel), travelling around the world as a radion operator. He collated his photographs in an album, which is now in the posession of his daughter. About Alfred: He was from York, one of three brothers. One brother, Edmund Cooper went into the Friends’ Ambulance Service and served in France. He was awarded to Croix de Guerre. Alfred went to the Marconi school. He was a conscientious objector who initially worked in market gardens instead of doing active service. He then became a radio operator because this also exempted him from service. He worked in the railway office in York after the war, then went into insurance, married, and moved to Birmingham In the Second World War he was involved with Bletchley Park – people with experience in radio were recruited to listen to German radio messages. He worked in North Allerton doing this. He recorded in Morse Code (he learnt it at the Marconi School). He was told to do two hours listening at a particular frequency. The messages were then transferred by a rider to Bletchley Park for decoding. After the Second World War he became a professional photographer. Album contents: One photograph shows Alfred in uniform, aged 19 (he was born December 1898) Photos show pictures show various vessels and locations. One photo is captioned ‘raising the flags of peace’ and was taken in Sydney Harbour There are images of ‘spark discharges’ at several points (he told his daughter Frances his nickname was ‘Sparks’) The images include Venice, New Orleans, Montreal, Durban – and images of camping in Yorkshire. Front cover has a badge reading R N Transport. It’s a WW2 badge that has been added later. About the ship: Internet searches for the ship only turn up this reference in 1919 from The Advertiser (Adelaide). Reference to Durban (link to a picture of Durban in the album?): http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/5629270. Further interest: More photographs and information about the Cooper family are in the family’s possession(This story and material was shared at the Oxford at War 1914-1918 Roadshow on 12 Nov 2016) -
University College and the Great War
This blog article presents a digital version of a college exhibition displayed in November 2014. It focuses on the Univ students who served in the First World War and the way in which their details were recorded during and post-conflict. It also gives information about a German Univ student who served, Rolf von Seldeneck. -
Saint Giles Church WW1 Memorial
These attractive panels are based on research conducted into the lives of the men listed on the Saint Giles Church WW1 memorial. -
Charles Albert Cordeaux
Charles Albert Cordeaux (borne 10 Feb 1884 in Brixton), the grandfather of the contributor, moved to Headington after service to work in the office of the car factory. Before that he was a professional soldier, joined the West Kent Regiment in 1901 (aged 18), and served in Malta, India , Africa working with radiotelegraphy, rank Sergeant. He was discharged in May 1913 and joined the Royal Flying Corps in London on 4 Sept 1913, as one of first NCOs in RFC. Wireless section, No 6 Sqn RFC. Served in Belgium (Abeale). In March 1917, he was transferred to No 3 stores Depot, RFC, Milton as Sergeant -Major. In May 1917 he becomes a Warrant Officer with the regular forces and in April 1918 an officer in the Royal Air Force (RAF). In January 1919 he joins the wireless section, No 19 Training Squadron, Curragh. Charles Albert Cordeaux was married to Celia. Their younger son (of two) is Cecil (contributor’s father) and the only daugter is G Phylis. Cecil G went to school in Cowley St John’s for junior school. The family came to Oxford in 1916 for a few months to get away from zeppelin raids, all children were born in London. Moved to Oxford voluntarily, possibly after living in centre of London. Objects: Photograph of Charles in Sgt uniform in Belgium 1916, The Striver (unit/RFC magazine) first issue Nov 1917. Pg 4 mentions Charles, photos of Sgt’s Mess p 9 shows Cardeaux in Sgt Maj uniform. granddaughther has Cordeaux’s cane at home. Photo album of Charles A Cordeaux Photos of Belgium, other members of unit, aerial photos of Ypres 1916 (railway station and Cloth Hall), Belgian detective marked ‘remember me 4/12/16’, photos of sports meets, boxing match at depot in Milton, No 19 Training Sqn 1919 in Curragh Ireland – seated in centre with cane as 2Lt. ‘Gormanston’ co. Meath Ireland Photo in DH 9 Machine in rear of plane, ca June 1919 Photos from R.W. Kents ca 1910 at end of photo album. Envelope addressed to 2Lt Commissioning scroll to Charles Albert Cordeaux Certificate of Warrant for promotion to Warrant Officer made out to Albert Cordeaux Passport ca 1920s Certificate of Proficiency in Radio Telegraphy – First Class, 1913. Discharge paper from RW Kents. Cordeaux’s own writing in red ink explaining his transfer to RFC Medals with ribbons, in case – 1914 Svc medal with bar, Victory Medal, British war medal (with rosette under ribbon) 3 good conduct chevrons with red chevron (This story and material was shared at the Oxford at War 1914-1918 Roadshow on 12 Nov 2016) -
Mister Brownrigg's Boys. Magdalen College School and The Great War.
About The Book No less than fifty Old Boys from Magdalen College School, Oxford died during or as a result of The Great War. Set against the hundreds of thousands of their countrymen this number may seem small but it left an indelible mark not only on their 'alma mater' but on the lives of their families and friends. Indeed the names of five Houses of the School are a permanent reminder of this extraordinary sacrifice (Wilkinson-Blagden, Callender, Chavasse, Leicester and Maltby). One hundred years after the start of the War the background, school and service record, and circumstance of death of each of these young men is revealed for the first time. While every school in the country will have suffered loss, Magdalen College School is unique in that it numbers Noel Chavasse (the only double Victoria Cross winner of the War) as well as John Fox Russell VC MC among the Old Boys who fell. Others honoured in this fine book include a 1st Class cricketer, Francis Roberts, and a member of the inaugural Welsh Rugby team, Richard Garnons Williams. Amazingly one school master, Charles Edward Brownrigg, was central in the education and nurturing of the boys. Thanks to meticulous research each of the fifty accounts reveal fascinating snippets of social, school, sporting and military history, spanning the period leading up to and including the years and theatres of The Great War. Mister Brownrigg's Boys will not only be especially significant to anyone connected with the school or the Oxford area, but will also provide a moving and informative personal level account of The Great War to the general reader. -
Video: A Postcard from Hitler [Annual Review 2012]
An introduction to a project to gather and tell personal stories from the First World War. Objects and stories are able to tell us about a time passing from living memory, the story of the lives of men, women and children in wartime. Published on 10 Jan 2013 -
Trinity College - New War Memorial Unveiled
Article regarding a new war memorial board, commemorating the five German and Austrian members of Trinity who fell in the First World War. Also includes a video of the unveiling ceremony. -
"Go home and sit still": WWI and Women's Colleges at Oxford
Article in Isis Magazine (March 2015) by Emily Frisella examining how the enrolment at many women’s colleges increased over the duration of World War I, with women becoming more academically active. -
Italian victory medal recovered from an Oxford garden
The medal was dug up in my garden in Oxford and I believe it is a medal that was given to an Italian serviceman or possibly a British soldier who supported the Italian army. The Victory medal was awarded after the war, making it more likely to belong to an Italian Soldier who later found their way to the UK. (This description is from the Europeana 1914-1918 page: http://europeana1914-1918.eu/en/contributions/18199 where additional pictures are available) -
Oriel and the Great War
In this audio podcast, Dr John Stevenson (former College Lecturer in History at Oriel and former Fellow at Worcester College) talks about Oriel College's involvement in the First World War. A brief introduction is given by the Provost of Oriel College, Moira Wallace OBE -
From Edwardian Merton to the Western Front 1906-1918
A talk by Professor Anthony Fletcher (Merton 1959), Emeritus Professor of English Social History at the University of London, and author of 'Life, Death, and Growing Up on the Western Front'. -
Too Valuable to Die?
In this video, Silke Ackermann (Director, Museum of the History of Science) Liz Bruton (Co-curator, “Dear Harry”… Henry Moseley: A Scientist Lost to War) and Nigel Biggar (Regius Professor of Moral and Pastoral Theology, University of Oxford) discuss the ethics of scientists going to war. They discuss the ethics of scientific research being used for military ends as well as whether scientists being held back from frontline service means others serve and die in their place. The recording was made in connection to the Museum of the History of Science exhibition exploring the life and legacy of English physicist Henry Moseley. -
Wharton in Wartime (podcast)
A roundtable discussion to mark the publication of Alice Kelly's critical edition of Edith Wharton's First World War reportage Fighting France: From Dunkerque to Belfort (Edinburgh University Press, 2015). Panellists; Professor Dame Hermione Lee (Wolfson College, Oxford), Dr Shafquat Towheed (Open University), Dr Alice Kelly (TORCH, Oxford). Chaired by Professor Elleke Boehmer (Director, TORCH). -
Pembroke in WWI
In commemoration of the centenary of the outbreak of WWI, Pembroke College is sharing information about the war's impact on the College through a series of webpages. The pages contain information and pictures about a variety of topics, and also include material donated by people with a connection to the College. -
The Club at War
This link leads to images of 'The Club at War’ - the WW1 edition of ‘The Balliol Club Magazine’ (issues 1-11, 1916-1919, 74 images). The Balliol Boys’ Club was a club for boys of the St Ebbe’s area of South Oxford. More information about the club can be found via the Balliol archivist blog at http://balliolarchivist.wordpress.com/2012/05/21/faq-balliol-boys-club/ -
English Words in War-Time : Tracking Language on the Move in WW1 (blog)
Findings of the project exploring the impact of war on the English language using teh material collected by Andrew Clark, an Oxford English Dictionary volunteer. -
Shot at Dawn (blog article)
An article on the Oxford Arts Blog about award-winning photographer and Ruskin School of Art graduate Chloe Dewe Mathews and her exhibition of images focusing on the sites where First World War soldiers were executed (shot at dawn). -
First World War project praised by Angela Merkel (blog article)
The Oxford Arts Blog reports on how Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel offers her backing to the Europeana 1914-1918, a Europe-wide project which began at Oxford University. -
Univ and the Great War: An exhibition from the college archives
To mark the Centenary of the outbreak of the First World War, University College held an exhibition of material from its archive. The exhibition is described in this document which contains examples of the dsplayed material (pdf document) -
Keble College, Oxford: Undergraduates Replaced by Officer Cadets (audio link)
A BBC radio programme about Keble College during the War. From the BBC programme description: "Most would-be undergraduates at Oxford's Keble College were fighting at the fronts during the Great War. But the corridors were anything but quiet, the students' places taken by officer cadets training to join them. " (<a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01s4zr3" title="To the BBC programme site (new tab/window" target="_blank">http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01s4zr3</a>) -
Louis Harley World War One Diary (link)
Louis Harley spent six weeks at the training camp for officers at Wadham College. He records his experiences in his diary, available on the <a href="http://louisharleyww1.blogspot.co.uk/" target=_blank" title="To teh Harley diary site (new tab/window)">Louis Harley World War One Diary site</a>. -
WW1 - Training Camp Wadham
Relatives of two officers who trained at Wadham College during the First World War share their memories of Harold Arthur Holgate and Louis Harley.