World War 1

 

During the month of November, the boys and girls of Mr. Flynn's class were learning all about the 'Great War', or World War 1. This year is the centenary of the outbreak of the Great War, and a war that lasted over four years and claimed the lives of over 20 million people. Over 200,000 Irish men fought in the war and some of us in class had great great grandfathers who fought in the war. Mr Flynn told us about his own great grandfather who fought and died during the campaign. We learned lots of interesting information about the war, how it began, the weapons of World War 1, life in the trenches, the songs and poems of the war and finally how it ended.

 

We found how the war started very confusing but with the help of BBC's Horrible Histories it came a little clearer, watch the short video below and see what you think!

 

 

 

 

We also spent a lot of time learning about life in the trenches. When the war started first both sides thought the war would be over by Christmas, but little did they know that the war was to last another 4 years and the millions of lives that were lost on both sides of the conflict. Life in the trenches for both sides was very difficult, not only did they have to deal with constant shelling, but the rain, te mud, the lack of sleep, the rats and in particular the lice!

 

Watch the following to get an idea of how bad the lice were!

 



 

We were lucky to get a visit from a soldier of the Great War. Kieran a member of the Cork World War 1 association paid us a visit and showed us the uniform that a soldier would have worn. Kieran also showed us the rifle that the soldiers of the British army used and also the medals that soldiers were awarded. It was a great surprise and also great to see the actual uniform of the soldiers.

 

 

We really enjoyed learning about the Great War, and we remember all those who gave their lives on all sides in this the centenary of the beginning of the First World War.

 

Just before Christmas, the English supermarket chain Sainbury's released their Christmas ad depicting a truce between the British and German forces on Christmas Day 1914. It is a very appropriate depiction of that event.