Museums and Memorials - First World War

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The latest threat to World War I graves and memorials - Voyeuristic films and photos
While common acts of desecration have in the past included vandalism and graffiti, indecent photos are increasingly being shot around the structures built to remember the fallen. The latest case saw a French couple given a 4-month suspended sentence for making a adult video at the Vimy Ridge memorial. They were fined 400 pounds each and had to pay a symbolic 1 euro to Canada. Despite the sacrifice honoured by the Vimy Memorial, the couple stripped naked and did sex acts beside the structure. They then posted the video on a website, invited people to pay to watch it. Their sentence came only 6 months after another couple were fined for taking nude photos in the same place. [ telegraph.co.uk :: 2008-07-29 :: Museums and Memorials ]

Land where Australian and UK soldiers are buried to be donated for a permanent memorial?
The owner of a land in France where hundreds of Australian and UK soldiers are buried offered to donate the land for a permanent memorial. After a moving ceremony at the site to finally honour the missing soldiers of Fromelles, Marie-Paule de Massiet felt the land no longer belonged to her. She lost two uncles in the First World War, including one who was never found. There were prayers in front of Australian, British and French flags - and representatives from the Australian and British armies stood side by side with French veterans wearing medals and holding military banners. [ adelaidenow :: 2008-06-16 :: Museums and Memorials ]

Horrible Histories: Frightful First World War - Exhibition at Imperial War Museum North
Lovely lice, gruesome gas and sickness were just some of the horrors facing WWI soldiers - an appropriate subject for author Terry Deary of black comedy children's books, Horrible Histories. This exhibition is specially designed for younger visitors. Based on Frightful First World War, one of the most popular books in the Horrible Histories series from Scholastic Children's Books, the exhibition sets Terry Deary's powerful words and Martin Brown's illustrations alongside the Imperial War Museum's unrivalled collections. "It's a story of what happens when machines go to war and human beings get in the way." [ 24hourmuseum :: 2008-06-02 :: Museums and Memorials ]

The In Flanders Fields Museum offers stark, captivating look at WWI
"In Flanders Fields, the poppies blow. Between the crosses row on row..." So begins the poem for which a WWI museum in Ypres, Belgium, is named. The famed poem by Canadian military surgeon John McCrae, sets the spirit for In Flanders Fields Museum, which offers a bleak picture of the realities of combat in Ypres. The city was literally leveled during fighting in World War I. A scale model of Ypres shows nothing more than a few stacks of rubble and fighting trenches - That's how intense the combat was. The museum gives visitors a harsh look at the First World War trench warfare. [ stripes :: 2008-05-30 :: Museums and Memorials ]

Some suggest feds take over troubled Liberty Memorial
Kansas: Some city leaders are suggesting that the city hand over financially troubled Liberty Memorial, the nation's First World War monument, to the federal government. "I would be thrilled to have the federal government take over Liberty Memorial, add it to the national park system," Mayor Mark Funkhouser told. But others say the memorial, which opened the National WWI Museum a year ago, only needs more time to solve its problems. Kansas City has long supported the Liberty Memorial, dating back to 1919, when residents raised $2 million in just 10 days to build it. [ hdnews :: 2008-03-06 :: Museums and Memorials ]

New memorial to WWI ace Red Baron to attract tourists
Baron Manfred von Richthofen flew above the muddy World War I battlefields in his red Fokker tri-plane, knocking down a record 80 Allied aircraft on his way to the war's top fighter ace and earning the famed "Red Baron" nom de guerre. But von Richthofen, who was shot down and killed in 1918, has been a legend in limbo since Poland's borders moved west after World War II and swallowed the baron's hometown of Schweidnitz, today Swidnica. Honoring a German soldier in Poland can still be a sensitive issue as the two countries wrestle with efforts by some Germans to regain property lost to Poland when the borders shifted after the Second World War. [ bnd :: 2007-12-04 :: Red Baron: Flying Ace von Richthofen ]

Great War memorial arch appeal
A public appeal has begun to raise £100,000 to save a monument to honour servicemen who died in the Great War. The Memorial Arch, built in 1923, features the names of 8,500 men from Gwynedd who died in the World War I. Posters have been placed throughout the area highlighting the campaign, and a web site has been set up which includes a virtual tour of the inside. "There is an incredible feeling when you walk into the monument and are faced with tall, 6-7 foot panels, with all the names of those who died," said Llio Wyn Richards. [ bbc :: 2007-11-06 ]

The last fully operational WWI British Mk V tank is to be run
The last fully operational World War I British Mk V tank is to be run for what could be the last time as it prepares for an appearance at the Lord Mayor's show in London. It is being driven from its current position in the Tank Museum at Bovington onto a low loader so it can be transported. Staff in period WWI uniforms from the museum will accompany the battle tank as it is drawn along to mark two important 90th anniversaries of armoured warfare. "In November 1917 tanks appeared before the mass British public for the first time at the Lord Mayor's Show. The first tank attack in history took place the previous September..." [ 24hourmuseum :: 2007-11-02 ]

Statue to honour World War I PM David Lloyd George criticised
Anti-war campaigners have criticised the statue to honour WW1 PM David Lloyd George. The Parliament Square memorial unveiled by the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall is the first to the "Welsh wizard" in London. A letter signed by Harold Pinter and others claimed he left a legacy of violence. But historian Kenneth O Morgan called Lloyd George a great radical who deserved to be honoured. Other signatories include John Pilger and Denis Halliday. They said Lloyd George's leadership saw bombing by British war planes across the Middle East, and left a legacy of violence: "All of which makes today's celebration of Lloyd George's legacy highly ... disgraceful." [ bbc :: 2007-10-26 :: Museums and Memorials ]

The next big Canadian War Museum controversy
A lot of people are upset that the Canadian War Museum surrendered to the veterans' lobby. I've been itching to go through the exhibits with a magic marker. What is it I want to change? I've got a long list... The ranks of WW1 vets are thin, but if there were any capable of going to the museum, I'm sure they'd be miffed. The origins of the Great War: "Europe was a powder keg" the display reads. "Mutual grievances, opposing alliances and secret treaties divided the heavily armed great powers. After the assassination of Austrian archduke Franz Ferdinand, countries rushed to settle old scores ... the rest of the world was dragged in." Germany is merely mentioned. [ ottawacitizen :: 2007-09-02 :: Museums and Memorials ]

Time, Neglect Leave D.C.'s Great War Memorial in Sorry Shape
It's a warm day on the National Mall in Washington. Tourists snap photos in front of the WWII Memorial or pay tribute at the Korean War Memorial. Between these two popular sites in West Potomac Park one monument is ignored: the District of Columbia World War Memorial. While it has a prime location not far from the Reflecting Pool, few people take the short walk to have a look. It's a simple, elegant structure, framed by oak and elm trees. The names of the 499 D.C. vets killed in the Great War are inscribed around the base. This impressive memorial is suffering from neglect. A survey revealed chipped stones, faulty drainage, among other problems. [ bloomberg :: 2007-05-25 :: Museums and Memorials ]

Museum of 1914 Sarajevo assassination that triggered WWI reopens
The Museum of Sarajevo 1878-1918 that tells the story of the 1914 assassination that sparked the First World War reopened after renovations. It catalogues the period of Austro-Hungarian rule and the assassination of Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand. Gavrilo Princip fatally shot Ferdinand on June 28, 1914, on a street corner near Latin Bridge. Pictures went around the world: the archduke and his pregnant wife Sophie slumped in the back of an open car. Princip was captured and sent to prison where he died of tuberculosis 4 years later. The shots led Austria-Hungary to declare war on Serbia, dismembering the Habsburg Empire and igniting WWI. [ iht :: 2007-05-09 :: Museums and Memorials ]

Yankton museum examines local WWI connections
In April 1917 President Woodrow Wilson asked for permission to declare war on Germany. The move was initiated by a number of factors, including the Zimmerman Telegram, which suggested that Germany was willing to help Mexico regain territory. The memorabilia surrounding the war and the Yankton County individuals involved in the battle will be at a display at the Yankton Territorial Museum. Museum director Doug Sall said the effort is to bring focus on the impact it had in Yankton County. The display contains unique items, such as a Model 1903 Springfield Rifle, which was the most popular of all U.S. military rifles. [ siouxcityjournal :: 2007-05-01 :: Museums and Memorials ]

French historians honor Scottish World War I Victoria Cross hero
Private Hugh McIver was awarded the VC for his bravery in the battle to capture the towns of Albert and Bapaume. But the Royal Scots regiment lost contact with his relatives and the historians want to hear from them. Phillippe Drouin said they may erect a pillar in honour of his heroism in 1918, as he was the only VC to die in the area. "We are trying to figure out exactly where McIver's action that won him the VC happened." He was a runner carrying messages between trenches east of Courcelle Le Compte when he won his VC. He chased a German scout, captured a machine-gun post, then stopped a British tank crew firing on their own soldiers. [ scotsman.com :: 2007-04-10 :: Museums and Memorials ]

Updated guidance for managing war memorials
New guidance aimed at preserving the 70,000 war memorials in England and Wales has been published. Many are in a good state of repair but some may even be destroyed if they are not properly maintained. "War Memorials in England and Wales - Guidance for Custodians" explains how grants can be obtained from English Heritage and War Memorials Trust to conservation and repair bills, as well as paying for additional names. Any physical object erected or dedicated to commemorate those killed as a result of armed conflict should be regarded as a war memorial. Since 1989, the UK National Inventory of War Memorials has recorded the details of 60,000 monuments. [ gnn :: 2007-04-06 :: Museums and Memorials ]

War medals to the Canadian Scottish Regiment Regimental Museum
The war medals belonging to the first Winnipeg man, Lance Cpl. Duncan Currie Patterson, to be killed in World War 1 will be handed over to the Canadian Scottish Regiment Regimental Museum in Victoria. He was also a veteran of the Boer War. At a ceremony, his granddaughter Joan Logan will donate four war medals to the regimental museum where they will be on display. Such donations are "very welcome. The medals and decorations that families donate to the museum enable us to be able to create a reflection of service," said honorary colonel of the regiment Michael Heppell. [ canada :: 2007-03-28 :: Museums and Memorials ]

A memorial for Victoria Cross War Hero Christopher Cox
A memorial honouring the WWI deeds of Private Christopher Cox was unveiled at a site near the village of Achiet-le-Grand in France. The ceremony took place against the back drop of the battlefield where on March 15 1917 Pte Cox, a stretcher-bearer with the 7th Bedfordshire Regiment, rescued dozens of his comrades while bullets and shells exploded around him. To mark the 90th anniversary of his bravery, and the liberation of the village of Achiet-le-Grand from the Germans, a memorial was unveiled. Pt Cox's son said: "It was very, very emotional. I never ever dreamt something like this would happen and there would be so many people here." [ hemelhempsteadtoday :: 2007-03-18 :: Museums and Memorials ]

Memorial to legend Jack - wrote World War One marching songs
Oldbury's famous son Jack Judge, who penned the world famous song It's A Long Way To Tipperary, is to be immortalised at the town's bus station. Music hall entertainer Judge, who lived his entire life in the town, wrote a number of First World War marching songs. "There is already a Jack Judge commemorative bench outside the Council House. We now hope to incorporate a memorial in plans to redevelop the site of Oldbury bus station in the town centre. Firm proposals are still being drawn up." [ expressandstar :: 2007-02-27 :: Museums and Memorials ]

Forgotten World War 1 Plaques Found In Vault
Two dozen plaques honoring WWI veterans were discovered in Norwood, and officials are trying to get them to family members. The plaques may be a little dusty after being in a basement vault for 90 years, but they are unharmed pieces of history. There are 24 framed certificates for Norwood's WW1 heroes: 24 soldiers who never received an honor the town wanted them to have. Ted Mulvehill and a custodian pulled them from an old treasurer's vault before the Town Hall is renovated. They also recovered a registry that almost 500 Norwood WWI veterans signed. It shows each soldier's rank, their injuries and what they did in service. [ thebostonchannel :: 2007-02-18 :: Museums and Memorials ]

Villagers erect memorial to Scots who fell at Passchendaele
The people of a Flemish village Zonnebeke plan to honour Scottish soldiers who found a last resting place in Flanders' fields at the height of one of the First World War's bloodiest battles. They hope to raise a Celtic Cross on the long ridge where the men of the 51st Highland and 9th and 15th Lowland divisions died storming German trenches during the 4-month offensive at Passchendaele. The action was the third phase of the fight for the Ypres salient and was aimed at driving through enemy lines to capture U-boat pens on the Belgian coast from which submarines were wreaking havoc on allied shipping. [ theherald :: 2007-01-23 :: Museums and Memorials ]

Vandalised war memorial of the fallen heroes of World War I
Littered with cigarette butts and vandalised - that is the dismal state of the cenotaph in the Espla-nade which is dedicated to the fallen heroes of World War 1 (1914-1918). A bronze sword sticks out from the face of the memorial but minus the hilt. The bronze and copper plaques bearing the names of those who died in WW1 have been stolen. What's left is a bare stone structure. "The cenotaph will celebrate its 85th anniversary on March 31. We plan to have a parade with bagpipe players and the armed forces..." The cenotaph was unveiled by the Prince of Wales on March 31, 1922, at the Esplanade seafront where some WWI battles were fought. [ thestar :: 2007-01-09 :: Museums and Memorials ]

World War I memorial discovered in garage
John Bettridge is hoping to get a memorial to 174 WW1 war dead re-erected after it was found lying in bits in a garage, unseen in public for 17 years. Research led him to find a memorial to Simeon Brown and 173 other war dead stored in the lock-up garage in Derbyshire. "You wouldn't expect to find it in a place like this would you?" [ bbc :: 2006-10-31 :: Museums and Memorials ]

Lost VC hero memorial unveiled -- World War I hero
A memorial is being unveiled to a World War I hero, who was known as the "Lost Victoria Cross" because his grave was unknown for 50 years. L/Cpl Alfred Wilcox won the VC for his bravery in killing 12 enemy soldiers in 1918 but was forgotten after his burial in 1954. A memorial is being unveiled in Aston Parish after his grave was traced. The soldier with the Oxford and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry was the only Victoria Cross winner whose exact resting place was unknown. He was given the highest military honour for "conspicuous bravery" capturing 4 machine gun nests almost single-handedly in the trenches at Laventie in Sept 1918. [ bbc :: 2006-09-15 :: Medals: Most Decorated Soldiers ]

Found after 30 years - the names of 707 World War 1 heroes
The names of 707 "lost" war heroes are to be reinstated on a war memorial, thanks to a two-year search. Ian Church was appalled that bronze plaques honouring the names of soldiers from WW1, who trained at Ampthill, had not been replaced after the Memorial was vandalised. "I thought it was about time that the names were replaced on the memorial. But the main problem was that a record of the 707 names was not kept. Two years down the line I found out that the 11th Duke of Bedford recorded a list." During 1914-1918, Ampthill Park was the Bedfordshire Training Depot where 2,235 men trained at an army camp set up by first commanding officer Herbrand XI Duke of Bedford. [ bedfordtoday :: 2006-09-03 :: Museums and Memorials ]

Conservation of memorial to WWI Indian soldiers
Repairs for Indian Army memorial: A memorial to Indian soldiers who died in East Sussex during World War 1 is due to undergo some conservation work. Memorial was erected in 1921 at the site where soldiers who died while being treated in Brighton were cremated. About 12,000 injured Indian soldiers were taken to Brighton for treatment during World War I. [ bbc :: 2006-08-25 :: Museums and Memorials ]

The Battle of Belleau Wood now remembered by a cemetery
1918, the height of the WW1 and German forces have pushed far into France, coming close to the French capital. The Battle of Belleau Wood occurred near the Marne River. The battle was fought between a mainly US Allied force and German units. The battle is remembered because of its extremely bloody nature and its close proximity to Paris. The Allies attempted to take the woods but were repeatedly forced back by artillery and machine gun fire. After re-taking the woods a total of six times the US Marines managed to force the German forces out, often reduced to using only their bayonets in close quarters combat. [ googlesightseeing :: 2006-04-27 :: Museums and Memorials ]

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier - 20,000 Canadians without grave
Almost 20,000 of the 80,000 Canadians who died in World War I have no identifiable grave. Those who could be identified as Canadian have gravestones inscribed "A Canadian Soldier of the Great War - known unto God." In May 2000, Canada created the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier to represent all Canadian service people who have no known grave. The Canadian government asked the Commonwealth War Graves Commission to select a grave of an unidentified Canadian soldier in the Vimy Ridge area. [ canadaonline :: 2006-04-18 :: Canada and Native Indians ]

First World War in the News is an edited review of hand-picked World War I 1914-1918 articles.