The First World War - research task
Private Peaceful is set just before and during World War I (1914-18). This home learning task is intended to help you understand the background to the novel.
What you have to do:
Using the internet and/or reference books, answer the questions which follow. Write your answers in sentences using your own words. Do not copy or cut and paste!
You should present your answers on file paper. If you choose to complete the work on a computer, then you must print off your answers.
Some websites you may find useful: www.firstworldwar.com
www.thesomme.co.uk
www.historylearningsite.co.uk
Date for completion: Tuesday 20 th September 2011
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Which wild flower is associated with World War I? Explain why.
What was the Western Front?
Name two other countries that fought on the same side as Britain.
What was ‘No Man’s Land?’
What happened on Christmas Day 1914?
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On July 1 st 1916 the Battle of the Somme began. Explain why this was such a bad day for the British Army.
The First World War has become famous for its songs, many of which were sung by the soldiers as they marched. Write down the titles of two songs from the War.
Some of the soldiers in the First World War wrote poems. One such soldier was Rupert
Brooke. He wrote a poem called ‘The Soldier’ which begins as follows
If I should die, think only this of me:
That………………………………………………..
……………………..forever England.
Find the words that are missing and write out these opening three lines.
9. How many British soldiers were killed or wounded in the First World War?
10. Because so many men were away fighting, women had to do jobs previously done by men.
Find an example of one of these jobs.
11. What was ‘Blighty?’ And what was ‘a Blighty one?’
12. What was a ‘Pal’s Battalion?’ Find an example of one.
13. What did it mean if you had to go ‘over the top?’

14. In what year did the United States enter the war?
15. What made mustard gas such a deadly weapon?
16. On 19 th January 1915 the coastal town of Great Yarmouth became the first ever place in
Britain to experience something. What was it?
17. Why was the death of Harry Patch, on 25 th July 2009, so significant?
18. Almost every village, town and city in the country has a war memorial. Where is
Lichfield’s?
19. Why do we have two minute’s silence at 11 o’clock on the 11 th of November each year?
20. Finally…
Try to find out if your ancestors were involved in the First World War. To do this it would be a good idea to ask grandparents if their grandparents were involved. Make sure you tell them it is the First World War you are finding out about. Write a paragraph about what you have discovered.