1. Jackie the Baboon
Pictured above is Jackie the Baboon at the Lord Mayor's Day Procession in London collecting money for the Widows and Orphans Fund by allowing people to pay half a crown to shake his hand or five shillings to kiss him. It might seem silly that this same baboon was able to earn one gold wound stripe and three blue service chevrons as a soldier in World War 1. In fact, many species of animals took large parts in the lives of troops by being mascots, messengers, first aid assistants, and so much more.
Jackie’s story began when his “owner”, Andrew Marr, enlisted as a soldier of the 1st South African Brigade, and the two simply could not be separated. The recruiting officer agreed the baboon could be the battalion's mascot. Little did they know, Jackie would become an excellent marcher as well as a hero. During a battle in Egypt Jackie saved Andrew’s life multiple times: he rebounded a grenade that landed by Andrew and he prevented Marr's bullet wound from going septic by licking it clean. With many battles under his belt, Jackie remained a resilient baboon until he was discharged near the end of the war, receiving a Pretoria Citizen's service medal.
Jackie’s story began when his “owner”, Andrew Marr, enlisted as a soldier of the 1st South African Brigade, and the two simply could not be separated. The recruiting officer agreed the baboon could be the battalion's mascot. Little did they know, Jackie would become an excellent marcher as well as a hero. During a battle in Egypt Jackie saved Andrew’s life multiple times: he rebounded a grenade that landed by Andrew and he prevented Marr's bullet wound from going septic by licking it clean. With many battles under his belt, Jackie remained a resilient baboon until he was discharged near the end of the war, receiving a Pretoria Citizen's service medal.
2. The Women's Land Army Propaganda |
While all the men were away at war, women were left with many responsibilities. At first, it was Great Britain’s idea to replace these workers by creating the Women’s Land Army. This was a movement in which women worked on farms to support themselves and the economy. Soon, the United States continued the idea and established institutions where these women could learn about agriculture.
This poem by Gordon Geddes illustrates the responsibility women gained:
“If you are young and strong, and free and fit;
Not shy of work and long to do your bit.
Then there’s a job for you--you’re in demand--
The Women’s Land Army calls you, call you to the
land.
[...]
If you are keen to learn and understand--
The Women’s Land Army needs you, needs you on the
Land.
The nation asks your help, without delay,
The Women’s Land Army waits you. Enrol To-day!”
This poem by Gordon Geddes illustrates the responsibility women gained:
“If you are young and strong, and free and fit;
Not shy of work and long to do your bit.
Then there’s a job for you--you’re in demand--
The Women’s Land Army calls you, call you to the
land.
[...]
If you are keen to learn and understand--
The Women’s Land Army needs you, needs you on the
Land.
The nation asks your help, without delay,
The Women’s Land Army waits you. Enrol To-day!”
3. American Red Cross Propaganda |
This propaganda piece is of a young boy encouraging Americans to join in the American Red Cross, which was an organization that grew exponentially when the U.S. joined the war in 1917. For the people who didn’t join the troops there was another option, and therefore communities were eager to establish more chapters. These individual programs not only enforced hospital service towards troops in Europe; they helped with transportation of supplies, communication between troops and families, and the productions garments and medical supplies.
In 1914, when the war started, there were 16,780 adult members and only 107 chapters. By 1918, there were 3,864 chapters and an extraordinary 20,390,173 adult members. The extremity of these numbers indicate that this organization was important to the war effort and grew to be a prominent organization even today.
In 1914, when the war started, there were 16,780 adult members and only 107 chapters. By 1918, there were 3,864 chapters and an extraordinary 20,390,173 adult members. The extremity of these numbers indicate that this organization was important to the war effort and grew to be a prominent organization even today.
4. The Signaling Lamp |
The artifact above is a signaling lamp, one of the many communication technologies developed during the first world war. Allied forces used this device to communicate to each other from across trenches. It was battery operated, had light projecting lenses, and had a switch for the light to send messages in Morse code. Into WWII, these became especially useful in the Battle of the Atlantic. The signaling lamp and other experimental devices overall influenced how the war was fought.
5. The Christmas Truce
This picture is of the Christmas Truce, an event of which illustrated that even during a violent war there was still some good in the world.
It began on Christmas Eve when the British troops heard the Germans singing Carol's in the opposing trenches. British soldiers sang back which soon led to both troops agreeing to meet up half-way between them. What was known as "No Man's Land" before, became a place for fun, as they exchanged songs, tobacco, and wine, and played a makeshift soccer game (shown by picture).
A quote from the diary of German Lieutenant Kurt Zehmisch describes:
“Eventually the English brought a soccer ball from their trenches, and pretty soon a lively game ensued… How marvelously wonderful, yet how strange it was. The English officers felt the same way about it. Thus Christmas, the celebration of Love, managed to bring mortal enemies together as friends for a time."
It began on Christmas Eve when the British troops heard the Germans singing Carol's in the opposing trenches. British soldiers sang back which soon led to both troops agreeing to meet up half-way between them. What was known as "No Man's Land" before, became a place for fun, as they exchanged songs, tobacco, and wine, and played a makeshift soccer game (shown by picture).
A quote from the diary of German Lieutenant Kurt Zehmisch describes:
“Eventually the English brought a soccer ball from their trenches, and pretty soon a lively game ensued… How marvelously wonderful, yet how strange it was. The English officers felt the same way about it. Thus Christmas, the celebration of Love, managed to bring mortal enemies together as friends for a time."