'Rats big as cats!'
An Internet WebQuest on Trench Warfare

created by Mrs J L Macfadyen
Library Resource Centre, Our Lady's High School, Motherwell, Scotland

Introduction | The Task | The Process | Conclusion |


Introduction
The Spirit

When there ain't no gal to kiss you,
And the postman seems to miss you,
And the fags have skipped an issue,
Carry on.

When ye've got an empty belly,
And the bulley's rotten smelly,
And you're shivering like a jelly,
Carry on.

When the Boche has done your chum in,
And the sergeant's done the rum in,
And there ain't no rations comin',
Carry on.

When the world is red and reeking,
And the shrapnel shells are shrieking,
And your blood is slowly leaking,
Carry on.

When the broken battered trenches,
Are like the bloody butchers' benches,
And the air is thick with stenches,
Carry on.

Carry on,
Though your pals are pale and wan,
And the hope of life is gone,
Carry on.
For to do more than you can,
Is to be a British man,
Not a rotten 'also ran,'
Carry on..

'Woodbine Willy'

Task
The First World War lasted from 1914-1918. Millions of soldiers were killed, millions more were wounded. What was life like for the men and women who lived and worked in and around the trenches?

Process
Your task is to investigate the following subjects connected with trench warfare:

the daily routine;
food and rations;
diseases;
infections (lice, rats, fleas);
soldiers' spare time;
and 'going over the top'.

As you read and experience the information, try to get a feeling for what life was like for those involved. Were they terrified, lonely, excited, bored... or all of these emotions? Do all the sources say the same or is there a variety of opinions?

Phase 1 - Background Information
You have a list of websites below to help you. Most of them involve the use of primary sources, e.g. letters, photographs, films, personal memories and poetry. Take time to look at each site, and investigate it thoroughly.

Gather your information on each topic, remembering to cite the source of your information, and the website it appeared on.


Phase 2 - Roles
The sites below have been arranged into three different categories:

Section 1: Interactive sites
Section 2: Original documents
Section 3: Memories of the Great War


Gather your information from sections 1-3 first.

Look carefully at each site to see which sections you need to investigate.

Section 1: Interactive sites:

These sites will reproduce the trenches for you. As you move through the site, look at all the information and gather your notes. You can look at panoramas of the trenches, photographs, movies and sound files. They can provide just as much information as a written diary or report.

Remember to cite the source of your information, and the website it appeared on.

Section 2: Original documents:

These original documents include diaries, poetry, reports, photographs, and much more. The information comes from soldiers, ambulance drivers and nurses. Check if you can search within the site to find information on your subjects.

Remember to cite the source of your information, and the website it appeared on.

Section 3: Memories of the Great War:

These sites involve people looking back at their experiences from the present time, including Harry Patch, who died in 2009.

Remember to cite the source of your information, and the website it appeared on.


Phase 3 - Reaching Consensus
Look at your notes.

Have you gathered a valuable selection of material?

Have you now got information on each subject that you need?

Have you used a variety of resources, (and know where you found each item)?

Check with your teacher or Mrs Macfadyen if you are not sure.

Conclusion
You have now found out about life and war in the trenches.

You know how the men and women involved felt about it.

Imagine how you would feel if you were ever put in the same situation......

created by Filamentality Content by Mrs J L Macfadyen, jennifer.macfadyen@ourladyshigh.n-lanark.sch.uk
http://www.kn.att.com/wired/fil/pages/webtrenchwje.html
Last revised Mon Jun 27 7:34:16 US/Pacific 2011