Sunderland in the Great WarLooks at how the Great War affected Wearsiders from the initial enthusiasm for sorting out the German Kaiser in time for Christmas 1914, to the gradual realization of the enormity of human sacrifice the families of Sunderland were committed to as the war stretched out over the next four years including local Zeppelin attacks and experiences of those fighting for the DLI and other regiments. The Great War affected everyone. At home there were wounded soldiers in military hospitals, refugees from Belgium and later on German prisoners of war. There were food and fuel shortages and disruption to schooling. The role of women changed dramatically and they undertook a variety of work undreamed of in peacetime. Meanwhile, men serving in the armed forces were scattered far and wide. Extracts from contemporary letters reveal their heroism and give insights into what it was like under battle conditions. |
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7/Durham Light Infantry April Army arrived attack August battalion battery Battle Belgian bombs brigade British built Captain casualties coast Colonel command Company Corps crowd damage defence Distinguished Conduct Medals district drill Durham VA Hospital engineer enlisted fire France front funds German Guards guns Hammerton House HMS Cressy HMS Pathfinder injured John joined June killed in action king and queen Knolls later Lieutenant Lord Kitchener March mayor Memorial Messrs Military Medal Monkwearmouth naval Navy November October Pals battalions parade police Private raid raised received Regiment rifle river Wear Road Roker Roker Park Royal Garrison Artillery Royal Red Cross sent September Service serving shipbuilders ships shipyards SMS Emden soldiers South Shields Southwick special constables station submarine Sunderland Sunderland Echo sunk Tank Territorial Force Thompson took place torpedo town hall tram trenches Volunteer War Office Wearside William window women wounded yard Ypres Zeppelin