The British and German soldiers are shown looking with enthusiasm and optimism when going off to war – both groups confident of success.
Lewis Boys School and Ystrad Mynach were involved in many different activities during the war. Ystrad Mynach started recruiting for a rifle club; the village also put together a district drill. The rifle club would be called upon incase of a foot invasion by the enemy. Members of this club ranged from 12 years onwards. Lewis boys also trained all boys to fight. The evidence is useful in showing preparation for a prolonged war but does not give any other information about the training and preparation of adults.
Other Sources however tell us that the adults prepared for the fighting by in theory training themselves.
The majority of single women contributed considerably to the war effort. They did this by becoming nurses, but many other women did stay at home to tend to their young. Other women took over the men’s jobs; these jobs have consisted of factory work, Police work, work in the R.A.F and work in the shipyards. The nurses were mainly stationed in Belgium, Italy, England and on War Ships.
Gwenllian Lewis and Lilian Lewis were two women living during the First World War. However their lives were very different. Gwenllian Lewis saw the opportunity to help others so she became a nurse for the army.
Before this decision in 1915 she had already joined the queen Alexandra’s nurses in 1908She had traveled all around the world with this group, she also kept an autograph which the majority of her patients signed.
Lilian Lewis however lived a more sheltered life than Gewnllian; she chose not to go to war as a nurse but instead chose to stay at home to look after her younger brothers and sisters. She had 3 brothers and an older sister. In her writings she tells how the village was very excited when a soldier would come home on leave. She was also in charge of cleaning her local rifle range every morning.
The sources are useful in telling us how women’s lives changed during the war – we are told that the women took over many of the men’s jobs. I.e. factory work, mining etc. Because of this voting for women was being pushed. As a result of the war women’s independence raised dramatically – many carried on with their jobs even after the war. Women over 30 were granted the ability to vote in 1919. Women were no longer seen as just housewives. However the sources do not tell us what happened to women’s lives after the war.
Other Sources inform us that even after the great effort they put in during the war, when hostilities ceased on 1918 the bureaucrats boondoggled and plans for women to be introduced into the military were scrapped by the recalcitrant war department. Besides this at least 3 army nurses were awarded the distinguished service cross, our nations second highest military honor, several received the distinguished service medal, the nations highest non combat medal and on top of this twenty more were awarded the French Croix de guerre. Many nurses died during the war and were buried in cemeteries far away from home.
In December 1917 the “London Gazette” surveyed 444’000 women. 68% of these women had changed jobs since the war had broken out. Such movement had been very rare before 1914. Another survey by “Woman Worker Magazine “suggested that 65% of the women the interviewed claimed that they would never return to domestic service whatever the circumstances.
Conscientious Objectors were men and women who disagree with war and believe that fighting and killing is evil.
Morgan Jones was a famous Welsh Conscientious objector who attended Lewis Boys School, Pengam. He then went to Gilfach as a trainee teacher – then when war broke out he was a councilor for his local area. Because of this he joined the N.C.F. Morgan Jones attempted to claim Exemption as a Conscientious objector, His application was denied, And therefore fined 3 weeks wages (£2). Morgan Jones was the sent to jail where he served 3 full terms. On release he started work as a miner.
The sources available to us in the booklet are very useful as they provide us with a first hand look at what life was like for a Conscientious Objector. It informs us of the public’s feelings toward these people. One man said when questioned about cruelty to Conscientious objector in prison “I do not think that any useful purpose would be served by pursuing this matter any further…..” The majority of Conscientious Objectors lived in or around the Bargoed area. This is the only village in the area with any war memorial. I.e. cenotaph.
There have always been people who are committed to an idea, an ideal, a religion or a cause. These Conscientious Objectors have hung on to that conviction despite being condemned, despised and punished for it. Whilst at the same time facing public hostility and hatred.
The Conscientious Objectors who refused to fight in the First World War were courageous in that way.
During the war an increasing amount of pressure was placed on the various different industries already mass producing such goods as fresh meat, clothing and ammunition. Factories were working around the clock to ensure that the army was as well equipped as possible. Bomb factories were also placed under the same conditions. These were hard times for workers.
Throughout the course of the war the attitudes of many people changed dramatically. This was down to many factors. Firstly the introduction of the highly controversial system of rationing was a big shock to almost everyone at the time. Rationing limited the amount of food you were allowed to buy at any one time. The army came first meaning that the rest of the people left in the United Kingdom had to make do with rationing.
Conscription was another large shock during the war – despite being justified. Conscription meant that should the government see fit then they could call up any man they wanted to fight at any time they felt like. The extensive death lists also changed many people’s views of the war. Some people shouted asking “is war really worth it? “
Overall women were very grateful for the war in a sense as they found a type of respect. Besides this women over the age of 30 were now also allowed to vote (politically).
Conscientious Objectors however were frowned upon, most people saw them as gutless cowards. The flu epidemic also changed a lot of peoples views on war as they saw thousands of people die with out even fighting.
