Historical Source – WW1 monograph (1917) provided for QLD students in grades 5&6

A glimpse into history! This source can be used to explore what Queensland students were learning about the First World War as it was occurring.

This monograph begins with a poem entitled ‘Gaba Tepe’ by Dr J. Laurence Renioul. (Gaba Tepe, is a headland overlooking the northern Aegean Sea in what is now the Gallipoli Peninsula National Historical Park). The next section is entitled ‘Remember Anzac.’ A year had elapsed since the first ‘School Paper’ about the Anzacs. The article speaks about why the Anzacs should not be forgotten by Australians. It includes quotes from the writing of Australian poet Henry Lawson. This article also includes new information about the experiences of those landing on Gallipoli (including recollections of returning soldiers). It includes artwork depicting men throwing bombs over their trench walls and photographs of the doctors and nurses captioned ‘heroes of the Dardanelles.’ The next section is entitled ‘Anzac day’ which is about the first commemoration of 25th April 1915 Australian troops landed on Gallipoli in Turkey. In Queensland Anzac Day 1916 was organised by the influential Anzac Day Commemoration Committee. They ensured the day revolved entirely around commemoration. The article speaks about the need to provide national protection for the graves of WW1 soldiers as well as “tender care for their living dependants; local honour boards and rolls; national monuments” and a war museum to house “appropriate souvenirs and historic records.” Information is provided about the progress of the war and how the war has blurred boundaries between countries as they have had to work together. There is a poem called ‘Knitting’ by Ella Wheeler Wilcox which reveals the women on the home front’s contribution to the war. This is followed by a section called ‘The Good Samaritan of the Dardanelles (information about Private William Simpson and his Donkey). Next is a section entitled ‘The Australians in France’ taken from London’s Daily Mail. The next section ‘Reville – Carry on!’ about the buglers and the songs they played including ‘Reville,’ the ‘Last Post and the ‘Tattoo.’ It concludes with reflections of how we should think of the war in the years to come and how we should care for our returning soldiers.

Author details: Queensland. Dept. of Public Instruction

Made in: Brisbane

Publisher: Department of Public Instruction

Source type: Monograph (a detailed written study of a single specialized subject or an aspect of it.)

Source origin: These books were given to students in Queensland schools during World War One. This was the property of Violet Coley (daughters of Philemon and Sylvia Coley) when she was a student in Coleyville. Coleyville is a rural locality in the Scenic Rim Region, Queensland, Australia. The locality is named after Violet’s parents who emigrated from Halesowen, Worcestershire, England, in 1866 and settled in the area.