How did these men experience the conflict?
There are 35 letters and 19 photographs in this resource. All letters have been transcribed, and audio versions of selected letters are available too. The documents should offer students a chance to develop their powers
How did these men experience the conflict?
There are 35 letters and 19 photographs in this resource. All letters have been transcribed, and audio versions of selected letters are available too. The documents should offer students a chance to develop their powers of evaluation and analysis. Teachers may also wish to use the collection to develop their own resources.
You may spot spelling or grammatical errors in the transcripts as we have transcribed the letters as they stand. Unusual or technical terms have been defined within the text. However, we have not included full digital images for several letters as these would have proved too difficult to read online. In such cases we have shown part of the letter in order to provide a sense of the original. There are five accompanying PDFs, each containing a collection of letters on the themes of hospital, different fronts, trenches, railheads and training.
Within this online resource and the accompanying collection Letters from the First World War 1915, it is possible to find more than one letter from the same person, or find references within the letters to those who have written. For this reason is it is helpful to see the letters as a whole group to get the most out of them and appreciate the nature of the collection.
Letters from the First World War, 1916-1918 is based on the second half of the RAIL record. We have labelled each letter according to a theme from the First World War. For example, some letter writers continue to detail their experience of the trenches, or service in Egypt, Greece, India and Aden.
As more soldiers were conscripted they have also described their training before going abroad. Others write about being in hospital or conditions at the railheads in France. Railheads were the nearest points to the front from which men and supplies travelled by train and were then taken to the battle line by motor vehicle or horse.
The Great Western Railway Company formed four companies of Royal Engineers as many men from the company, including these clerical workers from Paddington, had enlisted to serve. Due to their knowledge and understanding of the railways, many became Railway Troops based at railheads.
Unsurprisingly, in the letters many men showed a keen interest in all matters connected with railways or engines, including other Great Western Railway ‘fellows’ and the Great Western Railway Magazine. Some soldiers mentioned having received the magazine or asked for it to be sent out. It included photographs of all those who served in the First World War from the GWR as a whole and employees could catch up on company business and or news of sporting or social events.
How to use this resource
- Discuss any of the suggested questions below on a group/individual basis.
- Assign groups of letters on a given theme to groups/individuals in order to explore and interpret.
- Students could curate their own exhibition on the letters based on a theme/question of their choice using additional original material/secondary sources.
- Carry out research on the life of an individual soldier. Our research guide can help get you started.
- Use this resource in conjunction with our first online resource, which includes lette