What was the public response to the outbreak of war?
Men could volunteer for service in the armed forces until 1916, when conscription was introduced. However, some people could not or did not wish to fight.
Use this ready-made PowerPoint to introduce Lives of the First World War to your class.
Pick Life Stories to investigate and download the Powerpoint containing primary sources relating to that person.
Take a look at our suggested activities to try with your class, as well as other IWM resources that relate to the theme.
Use Lives of the First World War to research names on your local war memorial - this could be a school memorial to former pupils, or a town or community monument.
We have selected Life Stories connected to this theme. Download the pack of sources connected to the Life Story.
John was in the Derby Scheme, and was called up at the end of 1916
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James refused to fight and was imprisoned as a Conscientious Objector
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Thomas was still at school when war broke out, and was conscripted upon his 18th birthday
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Edward Morgan Forster was a pacifist who volunteered with the Red Cross
Download Pack1. Use the facts, images, evidence and stories on Life Story pages to compare and contrast individual experiences - think about similarities and differences between these people’s lives.
2. Study one of the sources in detail. When was it written, and for what purpose? What does it tell you about the person’s Life Story? Pick out details about their age, background and family. How does this information relate to their wartime experiences?
3. Create a mini exhibition based on one person’s story. Select three sources from the person’s Life Story page, and create a title and theme for the exhibition.
4. Encourage creative responses inspired by a Life Story, such as poetry, letters, art, drama, music, or dance.
Use sources to learn more about recruitment methods
Use these sources to discover more about First World War recruitment posters
Discover some of the actions civilians had to take to become a First World War soldier
The Charles Skey Charitable Trust
We really enjoyed using Lives of the First World War ... the student feedback was overwhelmingly positive.
Hinchley Wood School
Help IWM piece together the Life Stories of over 8 million men and women from across Britain and the Commonwealth who served in uniform and worked on the home front during the First World War.
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