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