‘Soldier’s life was saved by crucifix and enemy’s act of humanity’

Nachdem das Projekt mit großem Erfolg im Jahr 2011 in Deutschland angelaufen ist wird es 2012 auf mindestens fünf europäische Länder ausgeweitet. Kommen Sie zu unseren neuen Aktionstagen: Slowenien, Nova Gorica, France Bevk Bibliothek, 28. March 2012 Dänemark, Schloss Sonderburg, 24. April 2012 Slowenien Mittwoch, 28. März France Bevk Public Library Nova Gorica Dienstag, 19 April 2012, Military Museum of the Slovenian Armed Forces /Vojaški muzej Maribor Mittwoch, 23 Mai 2012 Celje Public Library / Osrednja knjižnica Celje Celje Dänemark Dienstag, 24. April Schloss Sonderburg

‘Soldier’s life was saved by crucifix and enemy’s act of humanity’ James Burke always maintained that he owed his life to two things - the metal crucifix he carried in his lapel pocket and a German officer who rescued him from being killed. The 22-year-old private in the Royal Irish Fusiliers was fighting in St Quentin, Northern France, during the last big enemy offensive on March 21, 1918, when he was shot in the chest by a German sniper. The bullet ricocheted off a three-inch long cross he always carried in his tunic, causing a penetrating wound just above his heart. But as he lay there, Private Burke faced further danger. “He was isolated and a German soldier was just going along killing the wounded,” said Don Mullan, a freelance journalist and author who brought in Private Burke’s dented crucifix to the Dublin roadshow. “If the bullet hadn’t hit the cross, it almost certainly would’ve gone through James’ heart. “Luckily a young German officer saw what the soldier was doing, intervened and carried him to a field hospital where his life was saved. James always maintained that he owed his life to his cross and that German officer who showed him a moment of humanity.” Don was left Private Burke‘s artefacts by his son Gary - the Godfather of Don‘s wife Margaret. “Gary was very keen to pass on his father’s WW1 memorabilia to someone who would look after it - so it came to me,” said Don, from Dublin. “Two months before he died in March 2003, I took Gary to the British memorial at St Quentin where his father was wounded. “Gary said when he was a boy in the 1920s and 1930s he was always fascinated by his father’s amazing story. And he would tell me how after his father took a bath he would see the wound and try to link his fingers either side of it.” As well as the dented crucifix, Don brought in Private Burke’s British War and Victory medals, plus a German lapel badge and miniature iron cross. He also had a card sent to James’ mother in June, 1918, informing her that he had been taken prisoner of war in Stendal, Germany. He was later released in January, 1919. James went on to become a chief usher at the Deluxe Cinema in Camden Street, Dublin. Following his war experience, he became devoted to the Catholic Saint Therese of Lisieux - known as the angel of the trenches - and met and married a girl he met in a city shop, called Teresa. “I think it’s very important that the story and the history of James Burke is recorded,” said Don. “But also, I was blessed to have met his son and daughter, Ethne, who died recently, aged 83, with the cross in her hand. “At her funeral service we gave thanks for the unknown German soldier who saved her father’s life because if he hadn’t done that, then Gary and Then wouldn’t have been born.” Don said James Burke’s story - and especially the moment of humanity shown by the German officer - has inspired him to start the Christmas Truce Project, which commemorates the famous football match between German and British soldiers Messines in Flanders on Christmas Day 1914. The project, which recalls how as the guns fell silent, British soldiers heard the sounds of Christmas carols rising from the German lines, has already started an international Christmas Truce Carol and Folk Festival in Flanders. And there are plans to create a peace field on the site, where young people can gather and play sport. By Jackie Storer

Concerned soldier says ‘sorry’ to boss from the trenches

After the success of our World War One family history roadshows in Germany last year, we're now set to visit at least five more countries in 2012. Come and join us at: National Library of Ireland 21 March France Bevk Public Library 28 March Sønderborg Castle 24 April Ireland Wednesday, 21 March 1000 - 1900 National Library of Ireland Kildare Street Dublin 2 Tel: +353 1 603 02 00 Slovenia Wednesday, 28 March France Bevk Public Library Nova Gorica Tuesday, 19 April 2012, Military Museum of the Slovenian Armed Forces /Vojaški muzej Maribor Wednesday, 23 May 2012 Celje Public Library / Osrednja knjižnica Celje Celje Denmark Tuesday, 24 April 1000 - 1800 Sønderborg Castle Sønderbro 1 6400 Sønderborg Denmark Tel: +45 3373 3396 mch@kulturstyrelsen.dk

Concerned soldier says ‘sorry’ to boss from the trenches Laurence Dunne was so worried that his boss would think badly of him for leaving his job as a machinist to go to war - he sent him a letter of apology from the front line. But, scared the missive would fall into enemy hands, he told the manager at Boltons, a building firm in Dublin, that he could not reveal exactly where he was. Carmel O’Brien, 85, brought her uncle’s pencil-written letter in to the National Library of Ireland, Dublin, because she wanted it to be saved on the www.europeana1914-1918.eu website. Accompanied by her daughter, Adrienne O’Connell, 51, Mrs O’Brien said she hoped having the note digitised would provide her with answers about her uncle’s short life. “I found this letter in a box with some photos after my brother died - it was the first time I‘d ever seen it,” said Mrs O’Brien, of Dublin. “It says: ‘You must excuse me for taking the liberty of writing this letter…’ He couldn’t see his boss because he’d been sick when he’d gone to war. He writes the letter from the trenches in France, and says: ‘I can’t tell you exactly where I am because it might fall into enemy hands’.” Laurence Dunne was a private in the No. 12 platoon B company, Dublin, and part of the British Expeditionary Force. Unfortunately, he died in 1935 aged only 39-years-old in the Grange Gorman mental institution in Dublin, following the death of his bride six weeks after they married, and the death of his mother. Adrienne said: “I think my great-uncle was totally shell-shocked by the war, and then to have so much tragedy must have just finished him off. “I’m working on my mother’s side of the family tree, so I’d love to find out more about Laurence.” By Jackie Storer

Concerned soldier says ‘sorry’ to boss from the trenches

Nachdem das Projekt mit großem Erfolg im Jahr 2011 in Deutschland angelaufen ist wird es 2012 auf mindestens fünf europäische Länder ausgeweitet. Kommen Sie zu unseren neuen Aktionstagen: Slowenien, Nova Gorica, France Bevk Bibliothek, 28. March 2012 Dänemark, Schloss Sonderburg, 24. April 2012 Slowenien Mittwoch, 28. März France Bevk Public Library Nova Gorica Dienstag, 19 April 2012, Military Museum of the Slovenian Armed Forces /Vojaški muzej Maribor Mittwoch, 23 Mai 2012 Celje Public Library / Osrednja knjižnica Celje Celje Dänemark Dienstag, 24. April Schloss Sonderburg

Concerned soldier says ‘sorry’ to boss from the trenches Laurence Dunne was so worried that his boss would think badly of him for leaving his job as a machinist to go to war - he sent him a letter of apology from the front line. But, scared the missive would fall into enemy hands, he told the manager at Boltons, a building firm in Dublin, that he could not reveal exactly where he was. Carmel O’Brien, 85, brought her uncle’s pencil-written letter in to the National Library of Ireland, Dublin, because she wanted it to be saved on the www.europeana1914-1918.eu website. Accompanied by her daughter, Adrienne O’Connell, 51, Mrs O’Brien said she hoped having the note digitised would provide her with answers about her uncle’s short life. “I found this letter in a box with some photos after my brother died - it was the first time I‘d ever seen it,” said Mrs O’Brien, of Dublin. “It says: ‘You must excuse me for taking the liberty of writing this letter…’ He couldn’t see his boss because he’d been sick when he’d gone to war. He writes the letter from the trenches in France, and says: ‘I can’t tell you exactly where I am because it might fall into enemy hands’.” Laurence Dunne was a private in the No. 12 platoon B company, Dublin, and part of the British Expeditionary Force. Unfortunately, he died in 1935 aged only 39-years-old in the Grange Gorman mental institution in Dublin, following the death of his bride six weeks after they married, and the death of his mother. Adrienne said: “I think my great-uncle was totally shell-shocked by the war, and then to have so much tragedy must have just finished him off. “I’m working on my mother’s side of the family tree, so I’d love to find out more about Laurence.” By Jackie Storer

Crowds make Dublin’s WW1 roadshow the biggest yet

Nachdem das Projekt mit großem Erfolg im Jahr 2011 in Deutschland angelaufen ist wird es 2012 auf mindestens fünf europäische Länder ausgeweitet. Kommen Sie zu unseren neuen Aktionstagen: Slowenien, Nova Gorica, France Bevk Bibliothek, 28. March 2012 Dänemark, Schloss Sonderburg, 24. April 2012 Slowenien Mittwoch, 28. März France Bevk Public Library Nova Gorica Dienstag, 19 April 2012, Military Museum of the Slovenian Armed Forces /Vojaški muzej Maribor Mittwoch, 23 Mai 2012 Celje Public Library / Osrednja knjižnica Celje Celje Dänemark Dienstag, 24. April Schloss Sonderburg

Crowds make Dublin’s WW1 roadshow the biggest yet Dublin’s WW1 Family History Roadshow has been declared the busiest event to date - with more than 100 contributors queuing with their memorabilia in the first hour of the event opening. Many people set off at dawn, from as far afield as Enniskillen, Limerick and Wexford to share their loved ones’ memories from the 1914-1918 war at the National Library of Ireland. Medals, war records, photos, cap badges and a kitbag were among the hoards of items arriving with grandchildren and great-grandchildren eager to keep those memories alive for future generations on www.europeana1914-1918.eu. Katherine McSharry, the library’s head of services, said of the response: “It’s absolutely astonishing. We knew there was a lot of interest from the amount of press coverage we’d had before the event - but we could not have anticipated this number of people arriving.” By 11.30am, the library’s main entrance hall was packed with crowds of chattering people carrying bags full of items and picture frames with regimental emblems. Everett Sharp, a military historian from Oxford University, which leads the digitising and cataloguing part of the project, said: “The Irish people are very keen to tell us about their family history - something they haven’t been able to talk about until recently. “Many of them had relations in British Army, but after the war - because of the Troubles - they weren’t able to discuss it with their friends and neighbours. It was a hidden history and remained so until today.” The event, which has been given widespread coverage by the media, attracted even more reporters from the BBC, RTE, radio and broadsheet newspapers who were keen to talk to the contributors. Jon Purday, senior communications advisor at Europeana, said: “This has been the most amazing event. People are so eager to share their family history and to have that acknowledgement of their involvement in WW1. “We are so grateful to everyone who turned up, even though for many it has involved a wait of some hours before they were seen.” By Jackie Storer

A chance discovery unveils grandad’s WW1 past

Nachdem das Projekt mit großem Erfolg im Jahr 2011 in Deutschland angelaufen ist wird es 2012 auf mindestens fünf europäische Länder ausgeweitet. Kommen Sie zu unseren neuen Aktionstagen: Slowenien, Nova Gorica, France Bevk Bibliothek, 28. March 2012 Dänemark, Schloss Sonderburg, 24. April 2012 Slowenien Mittwoch, 28. März France Bevk Public Library Nova Gorica Dienstag, 19 April 2012, Military Museum of the Slovenian Armed Forces /Vojaški muzej Maribor Mittwoch, 23 Mai 2012 Celje Public Library / Osrednja knjižnica Celje Celje Dänemark Dienstag, 24. April Schloss Sonderburg

A chance discovery unveils grandad’s WW1 past An apprentice merchant seaman whose ship transported goods between the UK and Ireland found himself moving logistical supplies to Northern France during World War One. Daniel Cantwell, from Waterford, was just 18 when the conflict started and his ship SS Batanga was requisitioned to support the war effort. His grandson, John Cantwell, a telephone technician from Dublin, only discovered Daniel’s involvement in the 1914-1918 war when he uncovered a wooden box containing a British War Medal for his service. “I was going through my parents’ things after my mother died when I found his medal, ribbons, photos and letters from the Admiralty,” said John, 53, who brought these items to the National Library of Ireland, Dublin, to be digitised. “At the time there were lots of small steam ship companies working around Ireland bringing goods across the Irish Sea and that was his job. I suspect his boat was requisitioned by the Admiralty to support the war effort. “All I have is the remnants, the memories of a time that he spent at war, but I don’t know what he did which is really sad. Everyone has a history and it’s an awful pity that that history isn’t passed on. “It was an unfortunate time in Ireland with independence and the country trying to get rid of the shackles of being part of the Empire and people not being encouraged to talk about it. “You hear a lot about the troops involved in the war, but I didn’t realise how important the merchant navy was in WW1; that there was a medal for them and they were recognised for their service. I hope that by bringing my objects in today I will find out more about my grandad.” John has since discovered that his father’s ship operated between Africa and Liverpool after the war and even delivered an antelope for Liverpool Zoo. The ship was sold in 1934 and moved to Italy where he was decommissioned two years later. By Jackie Storer

Crowds make Dublin’s WW1 roadshow the biggest yet

After the success of our World War One family history roadshows in Germany last year, we're now set to visit at least five more countries in 2012. Come and join us at: National Library of Ireland 21 March France Bevk Public Library 28 March Sønderborg Castle 24 April Ireland Wednesday, 21 March 1000 - 1900 National Library of Ireland Kildare Street Dublin 2 Tel: +353 1 603 02 00 Slovenia Wednesday, 28 March France Bevk Public Library Nova Gorica Tuesday, 19 April 2012, Military Museum of the Slovenian Armed Forces /Vojaški muzej Maribor Wednesday, 23 May 2012 Celje Public Library / Osrednja knjižnica Celje Celje Denmark Tuesday, 24 April 1000 - 1800 Sønderborg Castle Sønderbro 1 6400 Sønderborg Denmark Tel: +45 3373 3396 mch@kulturstyrelsen.dk

Crowds make Dublin’s WW1 roadshow the biggest yet Dublin’s WW1 Family History Roadshow has been declared the busiest event to date - with more than 100 contributors queuing with their memorabilia in the first hour of the event opening. Many people set off at dawn, from as far afield as Enniskillen, Limerick and Wexford to share their loved ones’ memories from the 1914-1918 war at the National Library of Ireland. Medals, war records, photos, cap badges and a kitbag were among the hoards of items arriving with grandchildren and great-grandchildren eager to keep those memories alive for future generations on www.europeana1914-1918.eu. Katherine McSharry, the library’s head of services, said of the response: “It’s absolutely astonishing. We knew there was a lot of interest from the amount of press coverage we’d had before the event - but we could not have anticipated this number of people arriving.” By 11.30am, the library’s main entrance hall was packed with crowds of chattering people carrying bags full of items and picture frames with regimental emblems. Everett Sharp, a military historian from Oxford University, which leads the digitising and cataloguing part of the project, said: “The Irish people are very keen to tell us about their family history - something they haven’t been able to talk about until recently. “Many of them had relations in British Army, but after the war - because of the Troubles - they weren’t able to discuss it with their friends and neighbours. It was a hidden history and remained so until today.” The event, which has been given widespread coverage by the media, attracted even more reporters from the BBC, RTE, radio and broadsheet newspapers who were keen to talk to the contributors. Jon Purday, senior communications advisor at Europeana, said: “This has been the most amazing event. People are so eager to share their family history and to have that acknowledgement of their involvement in WW1. “We are so grateful to everyone who turned up, even though for many it has involved a wait of some hours before they were seen.” By Jackie Storer

A chance discovery unveils grandad’s WW1 past

After the success of our World War One family history roadshows in Germany last year, we're now set to visit at least five more countries in 2012. Come and join us at: National Library of Ireland 21 March France Bevk Public Library 28 March Sønderborg Castle 24 April Ireland Wednesday, 21 March 1000 - 1900 National Library of Ireland Kildare Street Dublin 2 Tel: +353 1 603 02 00 Slovenia Wednesday, 28 March France Bevk Public Library Nova Gorica Tuesday, 19 April 2012, Military Museum of the Slovenian Armed Forces /Vojaški muzej Maribor Wednesday, 23 May 2012 Celje Public Library / Osrednja knjižnica Celje Celje Denmark Tuesday, 24 April 1000 - 1800 Sønderborg Castle Sønderbro 1 6400 Sønderborg Denmark Tel: +45 3373 3396 mch@kulturstyrelsen.dk

A chance discovery unveils grandad’s WW1 past An apprentice merchant seaman whose ship transported goods between the UK and Ireland found himself moving logistical supplies to Northern France during World War One. Daniel Cantwell, from Waterford, was just 18 when the conflict started and his ship SS Batanga was requisitioned to support the war effort. His grandson, John Cantwell, a telephone technician from Dublin, only discovered Daniel’s involvement in the 1914-1918 war when he uncovered a wooden box containing a British War Medal for his service. “I was going through my parents’ things after my mother died when I found his medal, ribbons, photos and letters from the Admiralty,” said John, 53, who brought these items to the National Library of Ireland, Dublin, to be digitised. “At the time there were lots of small steam ship companies working around Ireland bringing goods across the Irish Sea and that was his job. I suspect his boat was requisitioned by the Admiralty to support the war effort. “All I have is the remnants, the memories of a time that he spent at war, but I don’t know what he did which is really sad. Everyone has a history and it’s an awful pity that that history isn’t passed on. “It was an unfortunate time in Ireland with independence and the country trying to get rid of the shackles of being part of the Empire and people not being encouraged to talk about it. “You hear a lot about the troops involved in the war, but I didn’t realise how important the merchant navy was in WW1; that there was a medal for them and they were recognised for their service. I hope that by bringing my objects in today I will find out more about my grandad.” John has since discovered that his father’s ship operated between Africa and Liverpool after the war and even delivered an antelope for Liverpool Zoo. The ship was sold in 1934 and moved to Italy where he was decommissioned two years later. By Jackie Storer

Injured Serviceman Saved After Two Painful Days

After the success of our World War One family history roadshows in Germany last year, we're now set to visit at least five more countries in 2012. Come and join us at: National Library of Ireland 21 March France Bevk Public Library 28 March Sønderborg Castle 24 April Ireland Wednesday, 21 March 1000 - 1900 National Library of Ireland Kildare Street Dublin 2 Tel: +353 1 603 02 00 Slovenia Wednesday, 28 March France Bevk Public Library Nova Gorica Tuesday, 19 April 2012, Military Museum of the Slovenian Armed Forces /Vojaški muzej Maribor Wednesday, 23 May 2012 Celje Public Library / Osrednja knjižnica Celje Celje Denmark Tuesday, 24 April 1000 - 1800 Sønderborg Castle Sønderbro 1 6400 Sønderborg Denmark Tel: +45 3373 3396 mch@kulturstyrelsen.dk

Injured Serviceman Saved After Two Painful Days A British soldier who was left for dead after being shot through both legs on the Somme had his life saved by Allied troops who took shelter in the same trench. John Stafford was just 20 yards from the Germans when he was wounded during the symbolic battle of 1916, which resulted in 420,000 British casualties, including nearly 60,000 on the first day alone. His daughter, Joan Almond, 85, told the WW1 roadshow at Preston, that had it not been for Allied soldiers finding her father two days after he was shot, he would have died. “Although at the time he was unconscious, they managed to get him back across ‘death valley’ as they called it, where he was actually seen by medics,” she said. “He was covered with a sheet, having had a label tied to him on which a doctor had written ‘maggots’. “Thankfully medical staff were able to save his most badly injured leg. However, it did end up 3.5 inches shorter than his other one and he had to wear a surgical boot for the rest of his life. “Although he couldn’t return to the frontline after his injuries, he was employed by the Army in a civilian capacity at their records’ office in Fullwood Barracks, Preston.” But the war took its toll on John, said Joan, who brought in a typed copy of her father’s recollection of the conflict. “Dad was a very nice man, a gentle man – a wonderful man,” she said. “But looking back I think the war must have haunted him a lot, especially when you read his account. My mother used to encourage him to write down his experiences and this seemed to have a calming influence. I also remember him always asking us children to read him fairy tales.” During WW2, the Army took over the barracks, causing all civilian personnel to be moved to other record offices. For John this meant working in London through the Blitz, before being moved to Leicester and Edinburgh. “During my early teen years I saw very little of my father,” recalled Joan. “But later he was awarded the MBE for his services – which made us all very proud.” By Jackie Storer

Injured Serviceman Saved After Two Painful Days

Nachdem das Projekt mit großem Erfolg im Jahr 2011 in Deutschland angelaufen ist wird es 2012 auf mindestens fünf europäische Länder ausgeweitet. Kommen Sie zu unseren neuen Aktionstagen: Slowenien, Nova Gorica, France Bevk Bibliothek, 28. March 2012 Dänemark, Schloss Sonderburg, 24. April 2012 Slowenien Mittwoch, 28. März France Bevk Public Library Nova Gorica Dienstag, 19 April 2012, Military Museum of the Slovenian Armed Forces /Vojaški muzej Maribor Mittwoch, 23 Mai 2012 Celje Public Library / Osrednja knjižnica Celje Celje Dänemark Dienstag, 24. April Schloss Sonderburg

Injured Serviceman Saved After Two Painful Days A British soldier who was left for dead after being shot through both legs on the Somme had his life saved by Allied troops who took shelter in the same trench. John Stafford was just 20 yards from the Germans when he was wounded during the symbolic battle of 1916, which resulted in 420,000 British casualties, including nearly 60,000 on the first day alone. His daughter, Joan Almond, 85, told the WW1 roadshow at Preston, that had it not been for Allied soldiers finding her father two days after he was shot, he would have died. “Although at the time he was unconscious, they managed to get him back across ‘death valley’ as they called it, where he was actually seen by medics,” she said. “He was covered with a sheet, having had a label tied to him on which a doctor had written ‘maggots’. “Thankfully medical staff were able to save his most badly injured leg. However, it did end up 3.5 inches shorter than his other one and he had to wear a surgical boot for the rest of his life. “Although he couldn’t return to the frontline after his injuries, he was employed by the Army in a civilian capacity at their records’ office in Fullwood Barracks, Preston.” But the war took its toll on John, said Joan, who brought in a typed copy of her father’s recollection of the conflict. “Dad was a very nice man, a gentle man – a wonderful man,” she said. “But looking back I think the war must have haunted him a lot, especially when you read his account. My mother used to encourage him to write down his experiences and this seemed to have a calming influence. I also remember him always asking us children to read him fairy tales.” During WW2, the Army took over the barracks, causing all civilian personnel to be moved to other record offices. For John this meant working in London through the Blitz, before being moved to Leicester and Edinburgh. “During my early teen years I saw very little of my father,” recalled Joan. “But later he was awarded the MBE for his services – which made us all very proud.” By Jackie Storer

War records solve the mystery of soldier’s missing finger

Nachdem das Projekt mit großem Erfolg im Jahr 2011 in Deutschland angelaufen ist wird es 2012 auf mindestens fünf europäische Länder ausgeweitet. Kommen Sie zu unseren neuen Aktionstagen: Slowenien, Nova Gorica, France Bevk Bibliothek, 28. March 2012 Dänemark, Schloss Sonderburg, 24. April 2012 Slowenien Mittwoch, 28. März France Bevk Public Library Nova Gorica Dienstag, 19 April 2012, Military Museum of the Slovenian Armed Forces /Vojaški muzej Maribor Mittwoch, 23 Mai 2012 Celje Public Library / Osrednja knjižnica Celje Celje Dänemark Dienstag, 24. April Schloss Sonderburg

War records solve the mystery of soldier’s missing finger For most of his adult life, William Rose Townhill’s family assumed he had lost the ring finger on his left hand during a feat of derring-do in the First World War. But almost 100 years after the injury, his grandson Alan Townhill has discovered the real story behind the missing digit. William was a 19-year-old farm labourer when he signed up as a driver and gunner in the Royal Field Artillery 34th Division on April 26, 1915. Apart from a spell in an Australian Field Hospital where his injured finger was amputated, the teenager from Branston, Lincolnshire, survived the war relatively unscathed. Alan, of Lostock Hall, Preston, said: “No-one ever asked my granddad how he lost his finger – we just all thought it was because he’d been hurt in action. It was only when we had a dig through his war records we uncovered the real, quite amusing reason behind it.” From looking through copies of his hospital notes and his logbook, Alan discovered that his granddad was actually injured while going for a smoke during operations in France. “According to the paperwork, my granddad’s pipe was broken and he wanted to have a smoke, so he thought he would fix it with a copper tube,” said Alan. “But as he cut through it, he soon realised he was chopping through a detonator and it exploded, causing him to lose his finger. “Granddad was afraid people would think he was trying to leave the war because it was well-known that some people harmed themselves on purpose, just to get out of combat. All my granddad had tried to do was take a break with his pipe. “After the incident he was arrested and taken to an Australian field hospital where his finger was amputated. He was pretty unlucky because while he was there he caught diphtheria and was away from the front line for a short time. “No evidence was found of his misdemeanour, so he was not charged. But according to his log book, he did have 15 days pay docked – all because he’d wanted to go for a smoke.” Alan and his family revealed their story, along with pictures of William Rose Townhill and copies of his war records at our WW1 Family History Roadshow in the Museum of Lancashire, Preston, on March 10. It is the latest roadshow in a series that is being rolled-out across 10 countries in Europe this year to create a unique pan-European account of WW1 that is available to everyone. The roadshow, which began in Germany last year, and has already visited Luxembourg, is en route to Dublin on March 21, followed by Slovenia, Denmark and Banbury, Oxfordshire, in the coming weeks. By Jackie Storer

War records solve the mystery of soldier’s missing finger

After the success of our World War One family history roadshows in Germany last year, we're now set to visit at least five more countries in 2012. Come and join us at: National Library of Ireland 21 March France Bevk Public Library 28 March Sønderborg Castle 24 April Ireland Wednesday, 21 March 1000 - 1900 National Library of Ireland Kildare Street Dublin 2 Tel: +353 1 603 02 00 Slovenia Wednesday, 28 March France Bevk Public Library Nova Gorica Tuesday, 19 April 2012, Military Museum of the Slovenian Armed Forces /Vojaški muzej Maribor Wednesday, 23 May 2012 Celje Public Library / Osrednja knjižnica Celje Celje Denmark Tuesday, 24 April 1000 - 1800 Sønderborg Castle Sønderbro 1 6400 Sønderborg Denmark Tel: +45 3373 3396 mch@kulturstyrelsen.dk

War records solve the mystery of soldier’s missing finger For most of his adult life, William Rose Townhill’s family assumed he had lost the ring finger on his left hand during a feat of derring-do in the First World War. But almost 100 years after the injury, his grandson Alan Townhill has discovered the real story behind the missing digit. William was a 19-year-old farm labourer when he signed up as a driver and gunner in the Royal Field Artillery 34th Division on April 26, 1915. Apart from a spell in an Australian Field Hospital where his injured finger was amputated, the teenager from Branston, Lincolnshire, survived the war relatively unscathed. Alan, of Lostock Hall, Preston, said: “No-one ever asked my granddad how he lost his finger – we just all thought it was because he’d been hurt in action. It was only when we had a dig through his war records we uncovered the real, quite amusing reason behind it.” From looking through copies of his hospital notes and his logbook, Alan discovered that his granddad was actually injured while going for a smoke during operations in France. “According to the paperwork, my granddad’s pipe was broken and he wanted to have a smoke, so he thought he would fix it with a copper tube,” said Alan. “But as he cut through it, he soon realised he was chopping through a detonator and it exploded, causing him to lose his finger. “Granddad was afraid people would think he was trying to leave the war because it was well-known that some people harmed themselves on purpose, just to get out of combat. All my granddad had tried to do was take a break with his pipe. “After the incident he was arrested and taken to an Australian field hospital where his finger was amputated. He was pretty unlucky because while he was there he caught diphtheria and was away from the front line for a short time. “No evidence was found of his misdemeanour, so he was not charged. But according to his log book, he did have 15 days pay docked – all because he’d wanted to go for a smoke.” Alan and his family revealed their story, along with pictures of William Rose Townhill and copies of his war records at our WW1 Family History Roadshow in the Museum of Lancashire, Preston, on March 10. It is the latest roadshow in a series that is being rolled-out across 10 countries in Europe this year to create a unique pan-European account of WW1 that is available to everyone. The roadshow, which began in Germany last year, and has already visited Luxembourg, is en route to Dublin on March 21, followed by Slovenia, Denmark and Banbury, Oxfordshire, in the coming weeks. By Jackie Storer

„Bibel rettet Leben“ – eine Familiengeschichte

Die Bibel als Rettung vor dem Tod

Eine der beeindruckendsten Familiengeschichten trug Prof. Gottfried Geiler aus Leipzig zum Online-Portal europeana1914-1918.eu bei. Eine Bibel rettete seinem Vater, dem Infanteristen Kurt Geiler, 1917 das Leben.

In den nicht enden wollenden Stellungskämpfen im Nordosten Frankreichs lag Kurt Geiler im Schützengraben und schlief wie immer mit der Bibel unter seinem Kopf. Ein Volltreffer zerstörte den Unterstand fast vollständig, überall waren Tote und Verwundete. Kurt Geiler konnte sich unverletzt aus den Trümmern retten. Später fand er seine Bibel wieder und zu seinem Erstaunen steckte darin ein großer Granatsplitter. Ohne die Bibel hätte dieser ihm wohl den Kopf zerschmettert. Seit dieser Zeit ist diese Bibel ein wichtiges Erinnerungsstück der Familie.

(Text by Frank Drauschke)

Saved by his Bible - a family history

The Bible that saved a life

An amazing family story has been contributed to the Europeana 1914-1918 website by Prof. Gottfried Geiler from Leipzig. In 1917 a Bible saved the life of his father, Kurt Geiler, an infantryman.

In the never-ending trench warfare in the north-east of France Kurt Geiler was sleeping as usual with his Bible beneath his head. A direct hit destroyed his dug-out almost completely, dead and wounded were everywhere. Geiler was not injured and could get out of the rubble. Later he found his Bible again and to his astonishment there was a large piece of shell shrapnel wedged inside. Without the Bible, this would have smashed his head. Since that time, this Bible has been an important memento of the family.

(Text by Frank Drauschke)

Nachdem das Projekt mit großem Erfolg im Jahr 2011 in Deutschland angelaufen ist wird es 2012 auf mindestens fünf europäische Länder ausgeweitet. Kommen Sie zu unseren neuen Aktionstagen: Slowenien, Nova Gorica, France Bevk Bibliothek, 28. March 2012 Dänemark, Schloss Sonderburg, 24. April 2012 Slowenien Mittwoch, 28. März France Bevk Public Library Nova Gorica Dienstag, 19 April 2012, Military Museum of the Slovenian Armed Forces /Vojaški muzej Maribor Mittwoch, 23 Mai 2012 Celje Public Library / Osrednja knjižnica Celje Celje Dänemark Dienstag, 24. April Schloss Sonderburg

Medical team - Blackpool

Stop Press *** New Roadshow Dates ***

After the success of our World War One family history roadshows in Germany last year, we're now set to visit at least five more countries in 2012. Come and join us at: National Library of Ireland 21 March France Bevk Public Library 28 March Sønderborg Castle 24 April Ireland Wednesday, 21 March 1000 - 1900 National Library of Ireland Kildare Street Dublin 2 Tel: +353 1 603 02 00 Slovenia Wednesday, 28 March France Bevk Public Library Nova Gorica Denmark Tuesday, 24 April 1000 - 1800 Sønderborg Castle Sønderbro 1 6400 Sønderborg Denmark Tel: +45 3373 3396 mch@kulturstyrelsen.dk

War records solve the mystery of soldier’s missing finger For most of his adult life, William Rose Townhill’s family assumed he had lost the ring finger on his left hand during a feat of derring-do in the First World War. But almost 100 years after the injury, his grandson Alan Townhill has discovered the real story behind the missing digit. William was a 19-year-old farm labourer when he signed up as a driver and gunner in the Royal Field Artillery 34th Division on April 26, 1915. Apart from a spell in an Australian Field Hospital where his injured finger was amputated, the teenager from Branston, Lincolnshire, survived the war relatively unscathed. Alan, of Lostock Hall, Preston, said: “No-one ever asked my granddad how he lost his finger – we just all thought it was because he’d been hurt in action. It was only when we had a dig through his war records we uncovered the real, quite amusing reason behind it.” From looking through copies of his hospital notes and his logbook, Alan discovered that his granddad was actually injured while going for a smoke during operations in France. “According to the paperwork, my granddad’s pipe was broken and he wanted to have a smoke, so he thought he would fix it with a copper tube,” said Alan. “But as he cut through it, he soon realised he was chopping through a detonator and it exploded, causing him to lose his finger. “Granddad was afraid people would think he was trying to leave the war because it was well-known that some people harmed themselves on purpose, just to get out of combat. All my granddad had tried to do was take a break with his pipe. “After the incident he was arrested and taken to an Australian field hospital where his finger was amputated. He was pretty unlucky because while he was there he caught diphtheria and was away from the front line for a short time. “No evidence was found of his misdemeanour, so he was not charged. But according to his log book, he did have 15 days pay docked – all because he’d wanted to go for a smoke.” Alan and his family revealed their story, along with pictures of William Rose Townhill and copies of his war records at our WW1 Family History Roadshow in the Museum of Lancashire, Preston, on March 10. It is the latest roadshow in a series that is being rolled-out across 10 countries in Europe this year to create a unique pan-European account of WW1 that is available to everyone. The roadshow, which began in Germany last year, and has already visited Luxembourg, is en route to Dublin on March 21, followed by Slovenia, Denmark and Banbury, Oxfordshire, in the coming weeks.

Gold gab ich für Eisen

Dieser Ring von 1914 mit der Inschrift „Gold gab ich für Eisen“ wurde am ersten Aktionstag in Frankfurt/Main von Brigitte Bieche als eines der ersten Sammlungsobjekte eingereicht.
Der Ring ist nicht nur ein faszinierendes Zeugnis der Sozialgeschichte und das ganz persönliche Erinnerungsstück einer Familie, sondern verweist darüber hinaus auf eine staatlich geförderte Sammelaktion zur Kriegsfinanzierung in Deutschland. In verschiedenen Teilen Österreich-Ungarns gab es ähnliche Spendenaufrufe. Patriotische Bürger lieferten ihren wertvollen Schmuck ab und trugen stattdessen eiserne Ringe und Broschen. Damit wurde eine Idee aus der Zeit der Befreiungskriege wiederbelebt: Im Jahre 1813 hatte Prinzessin Marianne von Preußen an die Frauen appelliert, ihren Goldschmuck zu spenden. Schmuck aus Eisen, der bis dahin nur als Symbol der Trauer in Gebrauch war, erlangte so als Zeichen für Vaterlandstreue einen neuen Status.
(Text: Dr. Stephen Bull)

I Gave Gold for Iron

This ring inscribed "Gold gab ich für Eisen", 1914, ("I gave gold for iron"), was one of the first pieces brought by contributors to the first public participation day in Frankfurt. The contributor was Brigitte Bieche.

Whilst this particular ring is a fascinating piece of social history and unique to one woman, and one family, it also represents part of an officially sponsored programme of fund raising for the German war effort. Similar drives were also made in various parts of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Patriotic citizens handed in valuable jewellery, and instead took to wearing base metals. Interestingly this revived an idea used in the Wars of Liberation, when, as long ago as 1813, the Prussian Royal family had appealed to their womenfolk to make similar donations. Iron jewellery, hitherto used mainly as a symbol of mourning, then acquired a new status.

(Text by Dr. Stephen Bull)

More items from the Frankfurt public participation day can be found by searching the online Europeana 1914-1918 archive.

In the Munitions Factories

The First World War saw large numbers of women recruited all over Europe to help the war effort on the home front. In Germany this sat uneasily with policies intended to support the family, but demand for munitions grew rapidly.

This postcard of factory workers in 1917, was contributed to the Europeana 1914-1918 collection by Gustav Käfer at the public participation day in Stuttgart in 2011. It shows his mother Alwine Auch, aged just 17 (back row, third from the right). The "Fortuna" factory where she worked was in Pragstraße in Bad Cannstatt, close to where the public participation day was held at the Wurttemberg State Library.

The original caption says that the munitions are made with 'heart and hand for the Fatherland'. Close examination of the picture suggests that the items being manufactured are bombs (Minen) for the 7.6 cm light mortar (Lichteminenwerfer), a weapon used by most infantry battalions in the latter part of the war.

(Text by Dr. Stephen Bull)

In den Munitionsfabriken

Während des Ersten Weltkriegs wurden überall in Europa Frauen in großer Zahl zur Arbeit an der Heimatfront herangezogen. In Deutschland widersprach das zwar der Politik der Familienunterstützung, aber der drastisch wachsende Bedarf an Munition ließ keine Wahl.

Diese Fotografie von Fabrikarbeiterinnen im Jahr 1917 wurde von Gustav Käfer am Aktionstag in Stuttgart für die Europeana-Sammlung eingereicht. In der hinteren Reihe als Dritte von rechts ist seine Mutter Alwine Auch im Alter von 17 Jahren zu sehen. Die „Fortuna-Werke Albert Hirth", bei denen sie beschäftigt war, befanden sich in der Pragstraße in Bad Canstatt, nicht weit vom Ort des Aktionstages, der Württembergischen Landesbibliothek in Stuttgart.

Die originale Bildunterschrift lautet: „Mit Herz und Hand machen wir Minen fürs Vaterland". Nach der Munition auf der Fotografie zu urteilen, wurden in der Fabrik Minen für den 7,6 cm Leichten Minenwerfer hergestellt, einem Geschütz, das in den späteren Kriegsjahren von den meisten Infanteriebataillonen benutzt wurde.

(Text: Dr. Stephen Bull)

Ein Trainings-Unterseeboot

Das ist U-1, das erste Unterseeboot der Kaiserliche Marine.

U-1 auf Hochtouren

Dieses Foto wurde von Dr. Hans Andreas Schönfeldt beim Aktionstag in Frankfurt/Main zur Aufnahme in die Sammlung Europeana 1914-1918 eingereicht.

Das SM U 1 (Seiner Majestät Unterseeboot 1) war 1906 von Krupp auf der Germania-Werft in Kiel gebaut worden. Das U 1 war kleiner als die späteren U-Boote. Es hatte eine Verdrängung von 238 t, war mit einem Torpedorohr mit drei Torpedos ausgestattet und bot Platz für eine Besatzung von 10 Mann. Bei den Probefahrten zeigte sich, dass das U 1 nicht ausreichend hochseetauglich war und nur an der Küste eingesetzt werden konnte. Ein Problem waren die Kerosin-Motoren: Sobald das U-Boot auf der Wasseroberfläche fuhr, wurden große Mengen an weißem Rauch und Funken ausgestoßen, die das Boot alles andere als unsichtbar machten.

Als 1914 der Erste Weltkrieg ausbrach, galt das U 1 als überholt und wurde nur für Schulungszwecke eingesetzt. Am 19. Februar 1919 wurde es bei einer Kollision beschädigt und daraufhin an die Germania-Werft-Stiftung verkauft. Das U-Boot wurde in Stand gesetzt und ist heute im Deutschen Museum in München (zu besichtigen).

(Text: Everett Sharp.)

A Training Submarine

This is U-1, the first Unterseeboot (submarine) of the Imperial German Navy.

U-1 at full speed

This image was submitted by Dr Hans Andreas Schönfeldt to the Europeana 1914-1918 collection at the public participation day in Frankfurt. U-1 was constructed by Krupp at its Germania Yard at Kiel in 1906. Compared to later vessels, U-1 was small, displacing 238 tons with one torpedo tube, three torpedoes and a crew of only ten. Trials revealed that U-1 was not entirely suitable as an ocean-going vessel and should be restricted to coastal use only. One problem was the kerosene engines - when running on the surface they produced copious amounts of white smoke and sparks through the upper deck exhausts, obviously making the boat far from invisible.

When the First World War began in 1914, U-1 was deemed obsolete and was used only for training. On 19 February 1919 it suffered damage from a collision while on a training exercise and was subsequently sold to the Germania Yard foundation. It is now restored and on display at the Deutsches Museum in Munich (see the Deutsches Museum online exhibit).

(Text by Everett Sharp).

Zweite Feld-Weihnacht -1915

Der Weihnachtsmann stapft begleitet von Engeln mit Geschenken durch den Schnee zur Front und verwunderte Soldaten erwachen in ihren Schützengräben unter einem Regen von Früchten und Lebkuchen.

Diese und eine zweite faszinierende Weihnachtspostkarte aus dem Jahr 1915 mit Soldaten, ihrem Weihnachtsbaum und ihren Geschenken sind Teil einer Kollektion von Feldpostkarten und Briefen, die Christian Stauß zum Aktionstag in München am 6. April 2011 beigetragen hat.

Die erste Postkarte wurde am 26. Dezember 1915 von einem Offizier der Fliegertruppen der 6. Armee nach München gesandt. Das Motiv wurde von Hermann Vogel entworfen und die Postkarte widmete die Bayerische Kartenfelddruckerei „Den Kameraden der 6. Armee”. Die 6. Armee stand unter dem Oberkommando von Generaloberst Kronprinz Rupprecht von Bayern und bestand zum größten Teil aus Truppen des bayrischen Heeres. So findet sich in der linken unteren Ecke der Karte auch ein Wappenschild mit einem leicht modifizierten bayrischen Löwen: er trägt eine Pickelhabe und hält einen Dolch in den Klauen.

(Text von Dr Stephen Bull)

Weitere Weihnachtsgrüße aus der Zeit des Ersten Weltkriegs lassen sich im Archiv unter dem Suchwort „Weihnacht“ finden.

Second Christmas at the front - 1915

St Nicholas carries presents through the snow, assisted by angels to a front line German trench. Surprised soldiers awake from their dugouts under a shower of fruit and other delicacies.

Christian Stauß contributed this fascinating Christmas postcard to the archive at the Munich public participation day, 6 April 2011. It is just one item in a collection of postal material that includes Red Cross fund-raising cards, cartoons and front-line scenes, such as a postcard with soldiers sitting under their Christmas tree and their presents in the Vosges Mountains 1915.

The first card was sent back to Munich on 26 December 1915 by an officer of the flying unit of the 6th Army. The card was designed by Hermann Vogel, and dedicated by the 'Bavarian field press' to the 'Comrades of the 6th Army'. The 6th army was under command of Crown Prince Rupprecht of Bavaria and consisted to a large part of Bavarian troops. A peculiarly Bavarian feature is the heraldic lion in the shield to the bottom left of the image, which has also been modified by the artist to wear a pickelhaube and carry a trench knife.

(Text by Dr Stephen Bull)

You can find other Christmas greetings by searching the archive for "Weihnacht".

Unentdeckt in Nordischen Gewässern: S.M. Berlin

Der Seemann Rudolf Kämmerer vom deutschen Hilfskreuzer 'S.M. Berlin' hatte im Ersten Weltkrieg nur einen einzigen Einsatz - und danach sehr viel Zeit, darüber einen ausführlichen Bericht mit detaillierten farbigen Karten zu verfassen. Sein Schiff und die gesamte Besatzung waren von November 1914 bis Kriegsende in Hommelvik bei Trondheim in Norwegen interniert. Die äußerst spannende Geschichte, wie es dazu kam, dass sie im neutralen Norwegen „festlagen“, erzählt sein Tagebuch.

Der Hilfskreuzer S.M. Berlin war ein zum Minenleger umgebautes Passagierschiff, das, bestückt mit 200 Seeminen, am 17. Oktober 1914 Wilhelmshaven verließ. Es passierte unerkannt alle Barrieren der britischen Seeblockade, umschiffte Schottland und erreichte die Irische See. Dort, auf der Ausfahrtroute von Glasgow, wurden die Seeminen versenkt. Weiterhin völlig unbemerkt setzte das Schiff seine Fahrt in die polaren Gewässer fort, bis es wegen Kohlenmangel am 16.11.1914 in den neutralen Hafen von Trondheim in Norwegen einlaufen musste und dort festgesetzt wurde. Der britischen Navy blieb es lange Zeit ein Rätsel, woher die Minen in den heimischen Gewässern stammten, denen unter anderem am 27. Oktober 1914 die HMS Audacious zum Opfer fiel.

Das gut erhaltene Tagebuch und die Feldpostkarten waren ein Beitrag zum Aktionstag in Dresden zur Aufnahme in die Sammlung Europeana 1914-1918 eingereicht von Bernd Rossberg. Alle Dokumente von Rudolf Kämmerer finden Sie im Archiv.

(Text: Frank Drauschke)

Undetected in Nordic Waters: S.M. Berlin

Rudolf Kämmerer, a seaman from the German auxiliary cruiser 'S.M. Berlin', took part in only one military action during World War I. Afterwards he had plenty of time to write an extensive report about it with detailed coloured maps. Kämmerer's diary tells the enthralling story of how the ship was interned and the whole crew were detained in Hommelsvik near Trondheim, in neutral Norway, from November 1914 till the end of the war.

'S.M. Berlin' was a passenger ship converted into a minelayer. On 17 October 1914, the cruiser left Wilhelmshaven loaded with 200 sea mines. Undetected, it passed all British sea barriers, circumnavigated Scotland and reached the Irish Sea. There, in the exit route of Glasgow, the sea mines were sunk. Still unnoticed, the cruiser continued its trip to the polar sea until the coal supply was spent. The ship had to call at the neutral harbour of Trondheim on 16 November 1914 and was detained there. For a long time, the Royal Navy was wondering where the mines in their home waters had come from - to which, among others, 'HMS Audacious' fell victim on 27 October1914.

The thrilling diary and the field postcards were a contribution by Bernd Rossberg to the Europeana 1914-1918 collection at the public participation day in Dresden on 22/6/2011. You can see all documents from Rudolf Kämmerer by searching the online First World War archive.

(Text by Frank Drauschke)