The Kids Rule! Guide to the World Wars by English Heritage

T MA HE FOR GYAOZINE MEMBEUNG RS!

THE Kids RuLe! GUIDE TO…

QUIZ TIME

Look inside…

Could you make it as a secret agent?

a Second World War gun battery

TALK LIKE A TOMMY

COMPETITION

Learn First World War soldier slang!

Design a propaganda poster to win a

£100

The great escape

goody bag!

How Dover Castle played its part in the Second World War’s most daring rescue mission KYA!

• RATIONS! • SECRET TUNNELS!

INSIDE • GRAFFITI! • COOL POSTER!

And me and Jackie!

AIN BRIAT T WAR

The two world wars are among the mo st devastating events in global history. With bigger armies an d more destructive weapons used than in any previous wars, tens of mil lions of people lost their lives he First World War was the result of years of tension between the big European countries, and began when the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, Franz Ferdinand, was assassinated in Serbia. This led to a chain reaction of events as each country declared war on one another, thinking a conflict would be over quickly.

DIGGING FOR VICTORY Sadly, it lasted for four long years, with weapons such as the machine gun and powerful artillery forcing the soldiers on both sides to dig deep trenches for cover.

These trenches stretched for hundreds of miles, with bloody battles fought to take the enemy’s position. The people left at home were affected too, with planes and airships dropping bombs on Britain, and food and supplies rationed.

It was such a devastating conflict that it was called the Great War, as no one thought it would be repeated. But just 21 years later the world was plunged into an even more devastating war, started in response to Germany’s invasion of Poland.

The Second World War really did involve the whole world, with battles in jungles, deserts and snow, at sea and in the air, from the Arctic to Australia.

In Britain the bombing was severe, as cities were destroyed and children were evacuated to the countryside for safety. Lasting six years, the war only ended after millions of soldiers had been killed fighting, while men, women and children at home were killed by invading armies, in huge bombing raids and in death camps during what was called the Holocaust.

Eyes to the skies, men!

at a glance First World War

Second World War

When

1914–1918

1939–1945

Who

Britain and the Commonwealth, France, Russia, US, Serbia, Italy (Entente Powers) vs Germany, Ottoman Empire and Austria-Hungary (Central Powers)

Britain and Commonwealth, France, Soviet Union, US (Allies) vs German Empire, Japan and Italy (Axis)

Where

Europe, Middle East, Atlantic Ocean, Africa

Europe, North Africa, Asia, Pacific and Atlantic oceans

Why

Austria-Hungarian heir Franz Ferdinand assassinated, which triggered war after years of tensions

Invasions by Germany and Japan

Winners

Entente Powers on 11 November 1918

Allies. Germany surrendered on 8 May 1945, Japan on 15 August 1945

Casualties

Around 16 million dead

Around 60 million dead

Key weapons

Machine guns, artillery, poison gas, barbed wire, light aircraft, U-boats, tanks

Tanks, bombers, fighter planes, aircraft carriers, submarines, atomic bombs

02

WIN

Win a cool goody bag!

Design a Second World War propaganda poster for your chance to win!

It’s 80 years since the start of the Second World War and we’d like you to design a propaganda poster to encourage people to support the war effort. Once you’ve designed your poster, send us a photo for your chance to win. We’ve got a goody bag from the English Heritage shop worth £100 for the reader who designs the most impressive poster. To enter, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/kids.

Terms and conditions The closing date and time for entries is midnight on 12 March 2020.

The promoter is English Heritage. If you are under 13 you need permission from your parent/ guardian before entering the competition. One winner will receive a goody bag from our online shop worth £100. All entries submitted may be featured on the English Heritage website, social media channels and in printed publications. If you do not consent to your entry being published, state this when sending in your entry. For full terms and conditions go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/kids.

We asked

you to design a t meee birthday card to celebrate th RS Queen Victoria’s 200th birthday. nE I Here are the regal cards created WN

4

A day in the life…

6

Going underground

8

WWII town poster

10

Freedom fighters

12

Heroes of the hall

13

Look inside…

14

Quiz time

15

What’s for dinner?

16

In the trenches

Meet Wrest Park’s plumber and electrician Victor Church in 1914

How Dover Castle played an important part in defending Britain during WWII The final part of your mega timeline!

Richmond Castle and the First World War conscientious objectors How the inhabitants of Brodsworth Hall contributed to the First World War effort

Half Moon Battery at Pendennis Castle

Could you make it as a special forces soldier? Find out with our quiz!

Stephen and Virginia Courtauld are entertaining in fine style at Eltham Palace

More World War-related challenges, games and crafts

by the winner and runner-up…

!

NER

Yvette, aged 12

For English Heritage Luke Whitcomb, Johanna Lovesey, Tom Dennis, Tersia Boorer, Tony Dike, Katie Kennedy, Richard Leatherdale For Immediate Media Co Group editor Matt Havercroft Group production editor Oliver Hurley Senior art editor Sam Freeman Art editor Elaine Knight-Roberts Account director Esther Procee Account manager Joanne Robinson Director Julie Williams Editorial director Dan Linstead Design director Will Slater

Sammy Blyth, age 7

Contributors Adam Rees, Andrew Hann, Paul Pattison, Megan Leyland Illustrations Wesley Robins

see if you can spot me on page 8!

Phoenix, aged 6 RU

NN UP ER!

200557

WIN

This magazine is published on behalf of English Heritage by Immediate Media Co. www.immediate.co.uk

03

A day in the life…

Oh no! What’s happened?

Meet Wrest Park’s plumber, electrician and ambulance driver Victor Church in 1914

Yawn.

I’m not feeling very powerful today!

KYA, KYA! Victor Church is 17. He started work as an apprentice plumber at Wrest Park in Bedfordshire in 1911, aged 14.

He now looks after the generators that provide pumped water and electricity to the house, which is being used as a hospital for soldiers during the First World War.

The three generators being used to power the temporary hospital are new and complicated, so Victor is still working them out.

Phew, it’s working again now. I hope no one noticed!

One of the generators is off. Luckily it’s for the water pump rather than the electricity supply, so the lights won’t be going out in the operating theatre.

GROAN! COUGH!

Oh, those poor men…

Step on it lad!

KYA! Sorry, sir. almost there now…

Victor also picks up men from nearby Ampthill station and transports them to the hospital in an ambulance.

This is a very important task and means that he doesn’t have to serve in the army yet.

At first the hospital was for men recovering from treatment but later Victor would pick up injured soldiers arriving by train straight from the front line.

Nathalie and Sybil are new nurses at the Wrest Park hospital. They like to chat to Victor but now have their hands full with the new arrivals.

The wounded men are in a bad way but they’re happy to see Victor and his pet jackdaw.

WELL DONE VICTOR, YOU GOT THEM HERE JUST IN TIME!

HELLO, HELLO, HELLO!

PHEW!

SSSSSSH!

Author JM Barrie gave money to help set up the hospital and reads to the men from his book Peter Pan, about a boy who flies and fights pirates.

Victor knows he will have to enlist in the army soon. Seeing all the wounded soldiers in the hospital is making him nervous.

Don’t worry lad, it still might be over by CHRISTMAS…

And he rescued Wendy…

Hannah the housekeeper spots Victor chatting and sends him back to the generators – one of them has stopped working again!

KYA, KYA!

Leave it with Us, eh Jackie!

With the generator off, we can’t get any water for delousing!

In 1916 Victor was called up and served in the war for two years. He survived and won a medal for bravery, before returning to work at Wrest Park as chauffeur to the new owner, John George Murray. To see Wrest Park today, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/wrest

Castle rs defende d War,

me to Welco ion t a r e op o HQ! dynam

rl Second Wo centre During the e th e m a ec b Dover Castle nt defensive area rta nd of an impo e harbour a including th und 12,000 ro the town. A in e stationed soldiers wer r task was to Thei this region. lling ver from fa prevent Do s. d n a h y into enem

Dragon’s den

Going

At the north end of the castle you can still see lines of squarepyramid concrete barriers called ‘dragon’s teeth’, which were designed to block the movement of enemy tanks and other vehicles.

There is also a concrete pillbox built into the castle wall, which contained an anti-tank gun.

underground

Dover Castle in Kent played an important part in defending Britain and planning attacks from its secret tunnels during the Second World War

S

lker a t t i oks a overlo tra

h , whic en England Castle e Dover ssage betw n as the w a o p n e a k e e s me th anc and Fr Dover, beca yal Navy o of Strait r ters for a R Admiral e a ic u V q d y a b was to he eaded s role force h Ramsay. It a between m se Ber tra he narrow s clear of keep t wo countrie it was the t o that and ships s al enemy r Allied nav . ls o e f s s e f e sa ant v merch

Britannia rule the waves!

Secret tunnels

Under Dover Ca stle are large rooms connec te d by tunnels du g out of the chalk of Cliffs. These room the White s, enemy bombing safe from important head , contained quar soldiers and sailo ters for the rs defending the Strait of Do ver and the coas t.

There was even a hospital there.

Map room

This housed a large semi-circular table marked with a map of the Dover Strait and the English and French coastline. It was used by men and women to plot the positions of enemy ships, and can still be seen today.

A cleve r trick

ire Hellf er Cornnce, the enemy

re f Fra could fi coast o On the uge guns that England. sea to had h f ross the d hundreds o c a t h ig e t r r a fi e r s g n u g These g Dover, causin fe. The li t f a shells d loss o erous that tion an destruc a was so dang e Corner. re llfir Dover a icknamed He n s a it w

Dunkirk rescue In May 1940, a large part of the British army and many French and Belgian soldiers were trapped at Dunkirk in France, in danger of being captured by the enemy.

From Dover Castle, Vice Admiral Ramsay organised the rescue of 338,000 people in Operation Dynamo, sending all kinds of ships and small boats to bring them home.

In 1944, so took part ldiers in Dover C ast in to trick th a top-secret opera le e enemy tion in that the D-Day la to thinking ndings w be in the ould C the landin alais area. In rea lity, gs were in Norm – and the trick work andy ed.

THE

COAST GUARDS Many of our coastal sites played a part in the Second World War. Here are just a few…

Dartmouth Castle Today’s little ticket office and shop were built in 1940 as a gunhouse, disguised as part of the old castle. It contained a big gun to defend the narrow entrance to the harbour in Dartmouth.

The Drop Redoubt on Dover Western Heights This was a temporary base for Royal Marine commandos before a dangerous and top secret nighttime raid into France in April 1942.

The Princess Elizabeth

On the ne fronetminlisiter,

Winston Churchill

The prim me hurchill, ca Winston C stle in 1940 a C to Dover s. the defence to inspect enemy hands in s France wa and the south and Dover the front line on coast were nce of Britain. fe e d in the

Orford Castle In 1942, an experimental radar station was built on the roof of the medieval keep and in the castle grounds. This spotted incoming enemy aircraft that were flying especially low.

Pevensey Castle Because of the threat of invasion, the castle was strengthened and turned into barracks for Home Guard, Canadian and American troops.

Several machine-gun positions can still be seen.

07

$ COLLECT

ALL 12 POSTERS!

It’s the early 1940s, during the Second World War. On the home front, food rationing is in force, the Home Guard is watching out for invasion, and children are evacuated to the countryside.

Over to you!

• How is the coast defended?

• Why are kids being sent away?

• What is used as a playground?

• Where do you hide in an air raid?

• What is happening in the skies?

Collect them all!

This is the last of the 12 posters you can collect to make a mega timeline of English history. You can find the other 11 at www. english-heritage.org.uk/kids

o t t n e s

the cas The story of First World War conscientious objectors at Richmond Castle in North Yorkshire REFUSINNG TO SIG

to o years in In 1916, tw orld War, the First W n was o conscripti is meant h T . d ce u introd le (and, g n si that all ied men) later, marr 41 had to 18 aged army. to join the veryone e t o n However, h the war. it agreed w

THE NON-COM B CORPS ATANT

Some men re fuse as it went ag d to fight conscience – ainst their th right and wro eir sense of ng. These m en were known as ‘conscient io objectors’. M any conscien us tious objectors wer e ordered to join a military un it called the Non-Comba tant Corps (N CC).

10

NORTHERN COMPANIES

me Richmond Castle beca ern rth no a base for the C. companies of the NC rt po sup uld Here, men co ng hti fig ut tho wi r wa the eir or using weapons. Th our, lab y inl ma re we s dutie ing an cle , ing such as build es. pli sup g din loa or

over u to yo ld

cou If you w the , ie rv te in Sixteen d n o Richm ould you w t wha m? ask the

tle SENTENCED TO DEATH

In France, th e Ri Sixteen refuse chmond supplies, wer d to move e pu and found gu t on trial ilty. Each was ‘sentenc ed to suffer death by bein g shot’, which, af ter a pause, was ch shor t an 10 years’ hard ged to labour.

What would you draw?

the Look at these examples of the graffi ti that of the walls the on drew tors objec ious cient cons ine you cell block at Richmond Castle. Now imag feel you thing some for d isone impr been had the on draw you d woul t strongly about. Wha walls of your cell?

own Draw yourere! graffi ti h

THE RICHMOND SIXTEEN

from Sixteen conscientious objectors test ate ultim the d face tle Cas d Richmon they , 1916 May in of their beliefs when, e, they were sent to France. Once ther service were considered to be on active for t sho be ld cou lt resu a and as disobeying orders.

GRAFFITI ARTISTS

As punishment, those men who refused to be involved in the war at all could be imprisoned in the col d and damp cell block at the castle. While there, some drew and wrote on the cell walls. The graffiti they lef t behind range from loved ones’ portraits to political and religious statements.

Richard Lewis Barry, a Firs objector from Derbyshiret World War conscientious next to it, ‘The only thing, drew this bull. He wrote I can What is the best animal draw by the way.’ you can draw?

11

Heroes of the hall

During the First World War, many people living and working at Brodsworth Hall in Yorkshire helped the war effort. Here’s how…

over u to yowork

ar What w think do you have uld you wo teered volun ? to do

JOINING UP

men who Lots of the young or th Hall sw worked at Brod it enlisted nd ou ar d and the lan keepers, me with the army. Ga ys and bo rm fa s, er garden up. d ne joi cowmen all

SOCK IT

from A notebook s over rd co re 6 –1 15 19 cluding in – s m 2,000 ite and ts socks, shir ade m g in be caps – , le op by 129 pe the of l al g in includ staff. hall’s female

BATTLE OF THE SOM ME

WAR EFFORT

The community at Br worked together odswor th to suppor t the war effort.

A lot of the staff helped to mak that were sent ou e garments t to so serving in the w ldiers ar.

One of th e Brodswort clerks of the h estate, A llan Simpson, 12th Batta joined the lion York and Lancaster R was killed egiment. He w the regim ith many of e the Battle nt’s men in of the Som me.

1

2

ARMY CAPTAIN

Charles Grant-Dalton regularly visited Brodswor th and was a potential heir to the property. He volunteered for the Army Service Corps, and left the army at the end of the war as a captain.

BRODSWORTH AT WAR

At your service!

3 4

A Bayonet

ots Many of the men who worked at B Ammunition bo Brodsworth Hall enlisted with the army in C Cap badge the First World War, and would have been issued with a uniform similar to the one D Epaulettes here. Can you match up the names of the different items with where they are worn? E Put tees F Tunic

ers Answhe at t of m bot topage the

5 6

ANSWERS 1C, 2D, 3A, 4F, 5E, 6B

Look inside…

Half Moon Battery

In the Second World War, two guns at Half Moon Battery, Pendennis Castle, protected Falmouth against enemy warships

NOW THEN

2

1

3 5

4 6

1

Double trouble

Two large guns could each fire explosive shells over 14 miles out to sea. Enemy warships were located by powerful telescopes and radar signals. Each gun needed 16 men to load and fire it.

2

Taking cover

Large concrete covers over the gun positions protected men working underneath from the danger of attacking aircraft.

The guns had thick steel shields for extra protection.

3

Ready for action

An attack could come at any time, so the gunners had to be ready to fire their guns quickly.

To help in an emergency, they kept a supply of ammunition in lockers at the back of the guns.

4

Magazine racks

A large ‘magazine’ was located underground, with a single small entrance down steps from ground level. The magazine contained rooms for storing ammunition safely.

5

Fire power

Each gun fired a shell by exploding a cartridge in the gun barrel, behind the shell. The expanding gases of the exploding cartridge fired the shell from the gun barrel at great speed.

6

Heavy metal

Shells were large and very heavy steel containers with more explosive. They were designed to explode when they hit the target, sending fragments of steel flying in all directions.

Discover more about Pendennis Castle at www.english-heritage.org.uk/pendennis

13

quiz TIME

Could you make it as a

special forces

soldier?

From 1942 to 1944 Audley End House in Essex was used as a training base by the Polish section of the Special Operations Executive (SOE). Try our quiz to see if you would make it as a special operations paratrooper

1

Before volunteering for special forces training, what were you? a) An ice-cream salesman b) A soldier in the Polish army c) A footballer

2

You must jump from a balloon as parachute training.

Do you… a) Do a triple somersault b) Refuse to jump c) Follow the instructions you’re given

3

You’ve been given time off.

Do you… a) Go to the cinema b) Play volleyball in the grounds c) Go and see your mum

5

You are away from base and bump into some locals. Do you… a) Tell them about your training b) Avoid talking to them c) Get out a guitar and start singing Polish folk songs

6

What was part of the assault course that agents had to do? a) A rope crossing over the River Cam b) Abseiling down the side of the house c) Pole-vaulting over the Cloud Hedge

7

The underground warfare course taught which of these skills? a) Digging tunnels, bricklaying and carpentry b) Sewing and needlework c) Sabotage, silent killing, close combat and avoiding capture

4

After a hard day’s training, what would you rather read? a) A Harry Potter book b) A comic c) A map of Poland

8

What do you hope to do once parachuted into Poland a) Join up with the Polish Home Army and help them to fight the Nazis b) Go home to see your family c) Hide in the forest and wait until the war is over

Correct answers: 1b, 2c, 3b, 4c, 5b, 6a, 7c, 8a

How did you do?

1–3 correct Maybe you’re better suited to a desk job!

14

4–6 correct Back to SOE school for you!

7-8 correct When can you start?

Mum’s the word!

L FORCES SPECIA CHALLENGES

Put your paratrooper skills to the test Who are you?

Create a false identity for yourself including name, occupation, family background, likes and dislikes and write it down on a sheet of paper. Give the paper to a friend or family member and get them to ask you questions based on your false identity at unexpected moments over the following few days. See if they can catch you out.

This happened to the Poles but they were questioned in German, not their native language, to add authenticity.

Spy writing Write a secret message using invisible ink. Slice and squeeze a lemon to get some juice. Then use this to write your message on ordinary paper using a stick or fine paintbrush. Allow the paper to dry.

To read your secret message hold the paper up to a radiator or other source of heat. The heat will cause your writing to darken to a pale brown, revealing the message.

Gathering intelligence Try your hand at intelligence gathering, a vital task for an SOE operative. Get yourself a notepad and pencil, and perhaps some binoculars. Watch what a friend or family member is doing without being observed, and keep a note of what they get up to. How much information do you think you’ll be able to put together without being spotted?

What’s for dinner?

It’s the Second World War but millionaires Stephen and Virginia Courtauld are still entertaining in fine style at Eltham Palace and Gardens in Greenwich

LOL!

How did octop tshe go to wu a Well-arm r? ed!

Virginia regularly invited friends and family to stay with them.

On Christmas Day 1942 the Courtaulds sat down to dinner with nine guests. We don’t know for certain what they ate, although it may well have had an Italian theme as Virginia loved Italian food

1. Roast pheasant

2. Minestrone soup

3. Wine

Roasts were a firm favourite of the Courtaulds and during the war they had a steady supply of game birds brought from the country by their guests.

This thick vegetable soup, often served with added pasta or rice, was a firm favourite with Virginia.

The vegetable ingredients, including onions and carrots, would come from the garden.

Stephen was something of wine connoisseur and kept a well-stocked cellar at Eltham throughout the war. Fine claret was one of his favourites, and he was also partial to champagne.

4. Spaghetti Carbonara

5. Christmas pudding

6. Cocktails

Virginia was half-Italian and loved Italian food. Her cook, Emma Truckle, regularly prepared pasta dishes during the war, though she may have had to improvise with some of the ingredients.

Raisins and other dried fruit would have been in short supply during the war but the Courtaulds managed to procure some so that they could keep up this seasonal tradition.

No dinner party at Eltham was complete without cocktails served

by Stephen from the cocktail cabinet in the entrance hall. One he often made was was passion fruit juice with angostura bitters.

3 2

1

6

4

5

Make the Courtaulds’ Christmas pudding!

Try making your own version of the Courtaulds’ wartime Christmas pud – a delicious winter warmer. Go to www. english-heritage.org.uk/kids to download the recipe!

15

IN THE

S E H C N TRE , games and crafts es ng le al ch d te la -re ar W More World

!

LOeLant: ou erg e y

S ’t se age n fl I didcamoutoday t a ining : tra rivate very P you ! sir nk a h T much,

War of words

an acrostic poem See if you can write poem about war

t Many soldiers wrote brillian ms poe ng oki rov t-p ugh tho and rld Wo t about life in the Firs ous War. Some of the most fam and en Ow fred Wil re we poets Siegfried Sassoon. Could you

MAKE A REMEMBRANCE POPPY WREATH

We still commemorate the people who die in war with red poppies and wreaths. It’s easy to make your own.

1 For each poppy, cut out a circle of black card about the size of a 50p piece.

2 Cut out four circles of red tissue paper about the same size. Then glue them to the back of the black card to make a flower.

3 Make as many as you need to glue around the edge of a paper plate.

4 You now have a wreath you can place on a memorial on 11 November. You can even add a message in the middle to those who gave their lives.

DID YOU ?

KNOnW we wear

The reaso because poppies is on the they grew fter the sa battlefield stopped g n ti h fig

write a using the letters of words ’ such as ‘trenches’ or ‘battle rd wo as the first letter of the line? at the beginning of each ic. ost acr an as wn This is kno

SOLDIER SLANG Learn how to talk like a Tommy in the First World War!

British soldiers used lots of slang words and nickname s during the First World War. For exa mple, they were called Tom mies.

Can you match up the WW I nicknames with their me aning?

Blighty

Bosch

Rosie Lee Barkers

Cup of tea

Hot cross bun Bumf

Ambul ance Sausages

n Britai

Pear drops

Toilet paper Poison gas

ers Answhe t t a m of bot topage e th

Germans

BAKE A SYRUP CAKE

Learn how to make this delicious wartime pud!

1 Sift 4oz (115g) selfraising flour, ½ teaspoon bicarbonate of soda and a pinch of salt into a bowl.

2 Heat 2 tablespoons of golden syrup and ¼ pint of milk in a pan until it’s warm.

3 Pour over the flour and mix together.

4 Preheat the oven to 220C or

gas mark 7. Pour the mixture into a loaf tin greased with margarine and bake for 30 minutes or until firm.

If you want to add something extra, find out what berries grow near you.

During WWII, families would pick these off bushes.

ANSWERS Blighty – Britain. Bosch – Germans. Rosie Lee – cup of tea. Barkers – sausages. Hot cross bun – ambulance. Bumf – toilet paper. Pear drops – poison gas