Voices of War: A brief look at the Art, Poetry and Music produced during WW1 and its effect on the lives of ordinary people
When shots rang out in Sarajevo on June 28, 1914, Europe began hurtling towards one of the deadliest conflicts the world has ever seen.
The crisis would last until November 11, 1918 and claim millions of lives, with battlefronts in Europe waters, and in the Middle and Near East. World War I, also known as the Great War, was a distinctly modern conflict in many ways. However, like wars throughout history, it inspired a tremendous amount of creative output from artists and writers, civilians and combatants, men and women.
Though we may read about dates and numbers when we study historic conflicts, the lived reality of World War I becomes much more vivid when we look at the diverse creative expressions it inspired.
How the World Went to War in 1914
Art
Recruitment Posters
Song Cards and Post Cards
Famous Artists: - Percy Wyndham Lewis - Paul Nash - Walter Richard Sickert - Sir Muirhead Bone - Sir William Orpen Poetry In Flanders Field For the Fallen Poetry Written by Ordinary Soldiers Women's Poetry Winifred Mary Letts Robert Graves Rupert Brooke Siegfried Sassoon Richard Aldington Wilfred Owen William Butler Yeats Marian Allen Madelaine Ida Bedford Marjorie Wilson Music Musical Entertainment Available in 1914 Revues, Pantomimes and Musical Comedies Hymns Popular Songs Popular Entertainers: - Vesta Tilley - Harry Lauder Voices of War - Personal Stories: - Contribution of the British Indian Army in WW1 - The Story of Walter Tull - My First Day At the Plough - Pte. E. Whitehead - Corporal James Higgins - Joseph Edward Rogers - George Frederick Cardall - Percival Clarence Cardall - Arthur G. Hopkins Irish Contribution Aftermath The Memorial Plaque The first poppy appeal