University to host a week of First World War commemoration events

The University of St Andrews is hosting a major series of events to mark the centenary of the First World War as part of the wider WW100 Scotland and United Kingdom commemorations.

The Home Front: The United Kingdom 1914 – 1918 will be held from 18 – 23 June 2018 and feature exhibitions, cinema, music and public lectures devoted to the mobilisation of British society as a whole, an achievement that had a major role in winning the war.

Among the highlights of the week is a public talk by award-winning children’s author Sir Michael Morpurgo to an audience of school children followed by a workshop.

Other events, all of which are open to the public, include:

• A public debate on the topic ‘What does remembrance mean today?’ with host Sir Hew Strachan, Professor of International Relations at St Andrews, Jenny Waldman, Director of 14-18NOW, the First World War Centenary Cultural Programme, and Birdsong author Sebastian Faulks.

• An evening at the cinema 1918: a screening of contemporary First World War factual films from the archives of the Imperial War Museum with piano accompaniment from Stephen Horne.

• A unique portrait of the First World War battlefields: Fields of Battle – Lands of Peace 14-18 is a powerful outdoor photographic exhibition by Michael Sheil.

• A series of lectures on topics ranging from conscription to the role of the royal family, and from pacifism to the role of the press and propaganda.

Event host eminent military historian Professor Sir Hew Strachan said:

“The centenary of the First World War has been a massive success, with tremendous public engagement.  So far, however, all the commemorative national events have focused on battles. This is a chance to reflect on the sacrifices and efforts made by those who stayed at home.

“The war required the mobilisation of society as a whole, regardless of class, gender or age. The week’s events will highlight what the ‘home front’ – itself a phrase coined during the First World War – achieved in 1914-18, with effects that continue to resonate to this day.”

The Home Front: The United Kingdom 1914 – 1918 is supported by the Scottish Government and the Department of Culture Media and Sport.

The full programme and details of how to book is available on The Home Front website.

ENDS

 

Programme summary

Monday 18 June
Public Talk: Tayside and the Tay Valley in the First World War
Dr Billy Kenefick and Dr Derek Patrick

Tuesday 19 June
Public Talk: Sir Michael Morpurgo
Never Such Innocence Award Winners and Exhibition

Public Talk/Debate: What does remembrance mean today?
Professor Sir Hew Strachan, Jenny Waldman & Sebastian Faulks

Wednesday 20 June
Plenary Lecture: The United Kingdom in 1914
Dr Catriona Pennel

Panel 1: Government
The Growth of Cabinet Government – Professor George Peden
The Role of the Monarchy – Dr Heather Jones
The Defence of the Realm Act and Surveillance – Professor Gerry Rubin
Local Government, focusing on Essex – Dr Stuart Hallifax
The Churches and the State – Dr Edward Madigan

Thursday 21 June
Panel 2: Resources
Coal – Dr Steven Gray
Iron and Steel – Dr Peter Claughton
Forestry – Rob Newman
Fisheries – Dr Robb Robinson
Agriculture – Professor Keith Grieves
Science and Outside Expertise – Professor Roy Mcleod

Panel 3: People
Labour and the Trades Unions – Professor Chris Wrigley
Conscription and Enlistment – Professor Ian Beckett
Charitable Work – Dr Peter Grant
Refugees – Dr Pierre Purseigle
Prisoners of War and Internees – Professor Panikos Panayi
IWM Films of The Home Front
Introduced by Matthew Lee, Imperial War Museum
An evening at the cinema 1918: a screening of contemporary First World War factual films from the archives of the Imperial War Museum with piano accompaniment from Stephen Horne.                                                                         

Friday 22 June
Panel 4: Production
Munitions – Dr Gerard Charmley
Clothing, Uniforms and Boots – Dr Krisztina Robert
Shipbuilding – Dr Hugh Murphy
Railways – Dr Chris Phillips
Shipping and Overseas Trade – Professor David Starkey               

Panel 5: Social Impacts
Press and Propaganda – Dr David Monger
Families – Professor Maggie Andrews
Crime and Policing – Professor Louise Jackson
Children – Dr Rosie Kennedy
Food – Dr Mary Cox
War Finance – Dr Jonathan Boff
Closing Plenary Lecture: The United Kingdom in 1919
Professor Martin Daunton

Saturday 23 June Community Day
Public Talk: Women and The War
Professor Susan Grayzel
Workshops open to the public in St Andrews University Library and with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

Monday 18 – Friday 22 June
Fields of Battle Art Exhibition
Mike Shiel