updates | April 28, 2026

What was it like for the families of the soldiers in WW1?

WW1 had a very big impact on the families. This put a lot of pressure upon the older children in the family as they had to take care of the household duties and any younger children. Many of the men who came back from the War were suffering from serious injuries, the effects of Mustard Gas and or shell shock.

What did soldiers do for fun in WW1?

In their spare time, soldiers wrote letters and diaries, drew sketches, read books and magazines, pursued hobbies, played cards or gambled. There were also opportunities for more-organised social activities.

How did soldiers keep up morale in WW1?

Training, firm discipline and strong leadership also motivated soldiers and, the threat of punishment helped keep soldiers in line. Military traditions and values were also important, even in citizen-armies like Canada’s, and the firm sense that most soldiers shared in the justness of their cause.

How were the soldiers treated in WW1?

It used a special system called ‘triage’ where sick soldiers were put into one of three possible groups: Slightly injured. Soldiers who did not need much care. They were quickly given treatment wherever they were and then carried on fighting.

How did soldiers communicate with family in ww1?

During the First World War, letter writing was the main form of communication between soldiers and their loved ones, helping to ease the pain of separation. Receiving letters from family and friends was also vital to morale, keeping men and women connected to the homes they had left behind.

What caused most deaths in ww1?

Most of the casualties during WWI are due to war related famine and disease. Civilian deaths due to the Spanish flu have been excluded from these figures, whenever possible.

Where do soldiers live during war?

Barracks are usually a group of long buildings built to house military personnel or laborers.

Why are the trenches so disgusting?

They were actually quite disgusting. There were all sorts of pests living in the trenches including rats, lice, and frogs. They made the soldiers’ itch horribly and caused a disease called Trench Fever. The weather also contributed to rough conditions in the trenches.

What did they drink in the trenches?

The beverages provided from the army command were beer, rum, gin and whisky. Especially the ‘barbed wire whiskies’ were rolled out by the barrel. Whiskies like Old Orkney and 9th Hole and later Johnnie Walker were popular among the troops.

How did shell shock affect soldiers in WW1?

Not only did it affect increasing numbers of frontline troops serving in World War I, British Army doctors were struggling to understand and treat the disorder. The term “shell shock” was coined by the soldiers themselves. Symptoms included fatigue, tremor, confusion, nightmares and impaired sight and hearing.

How many soldiers lost their lives in WW1?

There were 20 million deaths and 21 million wounded. The total number of deaths includes 9.7 million military personnel and about 10 million civilians. The Entente Powers (also known as the Allies) lost about 5.7 million soldiers while the Central Powers lost about 4 million.

How did people communicate 100 years?

More common was the telegraph, which had been knocking around for a while by then. People in official positions tended to use that, but it wouldn’t have been a fixture of regular people’s houses. Far more common than telephone or telegraph was the postal service.

Are World War 1 letters worth anything?

Letter writing was a popular form of communication amongst all ages. Letters written by children during the First World War can be just as valuable a source of information as those written by servicemen.

Did any soldiers survive all of ww1?

The last living veteran of World War I was Florence Green, a British citizen who served in the Allied armed forces, and who died 4 February 2012, aged 110. The last veteran who served in the trenches was Harry Patch (British Army), who died on 25 July 2009, aged 111.

How often did soldiers shower in ww1?

About once every week to ten days, Soldiers would go to the rear for their shower. Upon entering the shower area they turned in their dirty clothing. After showering they received new cloths. They had their choice for size: small, medium, or large.

How much sleep do soldiers get in war?

Most Soldiers report sleeping 6 to 7 hours per night, regardless of duty status. However, nearly 1 in 3 report getting less than 6 hours of sleep on weeknights/duty nights. Soldiers also report getting more sleep on weekend/non-duty nights than on weeknights/duty nights.