Box 01 - Australia in the First World War
This box tells of the experience of Australians at war at Gallipoli, in the Middle East, and on the Western Front. It looks at the plight of soldiers, including those who were injured, captured or died. The role of nurses and the Red Cross is also considered.
On the home front, various issues such as the conscription debate, and the repatriation of soldiers are discussed. The box also explores, through case studies and copies of correspondence, the sense of longing and loss experienced both by those who went away and by their loved ones who waited at home.
Resource Book
Download the resource book for Memorial Box 1.
What’s in the box?
Here are some examples of the type of objects you will find in this Memorial Box.
Female relatives badge, Slouch hat, Australian service greatcoat, Next of Kin plaque, Chaplain’s hat badge
Case study
Read the story of the Scrivener Family (1.4Mb PDF), just one of several case studies you will find in this Memorial Box.
Activities
Using the objects
- Classify the objects in the box according to whether they belonged to a civilian or soldier, size and weight, metal or cloth etc.
- Interpret each object by discussing its features:
- What is it?
- What was its purpose?
- Where was it made?
- Are there any markings to give us clues?
- How old is it?
- Is it still used today?
- Students can summarize their findings on the following activity sheets:
- What is it? activity sheet for primary students (60Kb PDF file)
- What is it? activity sheet for secondary students(60Kb PDF file)
- Try on the items of uniform and encourage students to go back to the situation and time the uniforms represent.
- Test observation skills by asking a student to choose an object and to describe it without actually stating what it is, and have others select the object based on that description.
- Observe the insignia on the buttons and badges and take a pencil rubbing (use a soft pencil).
Using the official documents
- Interpreting the official documents by considering:
- What is it about?
- Who wrote it?
- Why was it written?
- When and where was it written?
- Is it reliable?
- How is it useful to historians?
Using the photos
- Interpret photos by considering:
- Where was the photo taken?
- When?
- Who is the photo of?
- How can you tell?
- What is it showing?
- What are the conditions like?
- Why was it taken?
- Make up a story based on a photo and act it out.
- Photocopy the photos and using balloons above the heads of people write in what they are thinking or saying.
- Develop a collage based on 'remembrance', using the photos as a stimulus.
- Sequence the photographs to tell a story.
- Look for links between photographs and other objects or stories within the Memorial Box.
- Discuss the usefulness of photographs as historical evidence.
Other Activities
- Ask students to put themselves in the position of a character they have learned about through material in the box and, as that person, to write a letter to a loved one from whom they are separated, describing their situation. See primary (70Kb PDF file) or secondary (70Kb PDF file) activity sheet.
- As a mapping exercise, plot the locations mentioned in the box on a world map to see where Australians have served during conflicts.
- Encourage students to ask their parents, grandparents and family friends to show any memorabilia and to share stories about their experience of Australia in conflict.
Book a box
While use of a box in your classroom, library or community group is free, borrowers may be asked to pay a charge for freight and handling.
Make a booking with your local agent.
