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Hidden Histories of the Great War: Uncovering the Untold Stories of Service and Resistance

 

This year’s heritage forum uncovered some of the hidden histories and untold stories lying behind the traditional narrative usually associated with the Great War.

First to speak was author and historian, Ann Kramer, whose recently published book on conscientious objectors during the Great War, Conscientious Objectors of the First World War: A Determined Resistance (Pen and Sword, 2014) has done much to reveal the ‘determined resistance’ of individuals who refused to engage in armed combat. Ann spoke of the different sort of bravery demonstrated by individuals such as Fenner Brockway, which has often been overlooked in the standard historical account. Ann’s talk offered an insight into the experiences of the many men who refused to be conscripted and kill their fellow man for various political, religious and humanitarian reasons.

Next we welcomed renowned social historian, Stephen Bourne, who spoke about his most recent and award-winning book, Black Poppies: Britain’s Black Community and the Great War (The History Press, 2014). Described by The Independent as ‘a powerful, revelatory counterbalance to the whitewashing of British history’ (11 September 2014), Bourne’s work enriches our historical understanding of this neglected aspect of the First World War. Telling the story of several individual soldiers who served in World War One Stephen gave background to their lives off the battlefield as well as on it and incorporating the experiences of some  women who played there part as well.

After lunch Dr Nicola Smith spoke of the important role played by women during the war, in particular those women who were part of the remount service. Nicola’s presentation gave the audience insight to the world of the women who trained houses for use as part of the war effort, focusing on the lives of a few key individuals who worked with the service.

Next to speak was Dr Julian Freeman who focused on the importance of art during the war and the role of the War Artists scheme in capturing eye-witness accounts of the war though an artistic medium, showing the audience examples of some of the work created during that period.

The final speaker for the day was Catherine Harvey from the Hastings Museum and Art Gallery who spoke of how the war affected the local area and the people who lived here at the time and the museum’s project Hastings Remembers: Local Stories of the First World War, a Heritage Lottery funded project with an ambitious programme of community engagement, public activities and exhibitions revolving around local historical sources and life writings related to the Great War.

Finally the audience were invited to join the organisers at the museum to view a presentation by participants of Out of the Doll’s House. A joint Museum and Women’s Voice community history project, it explores women’s experiences during the Great War.

This forum gave a voice to the stories of individuals in a time of conflict that can so often get lost in the wider narrative of war.