A RESOURCE GUIDE TO GOSPORT AND ITS PEOPLE DURING THE GREAT WAR REMEMBERING THE UNFORGETTABLE FOUR LONG YEARS PEACE AT LAST 2 Equinox www.yourwebsite.com 3 INTRODUCTION This booklet provides an These groups responded in a overview of three large variety of ways to contribute heritage-based art projects, artwork and content for display focusing on the people of pieces. Some of the displays Gosport in Hampshire. It were in the form of textile covers the town’s important pieces, 3D models and digital role in the First World War, collages. Many participants also known as the Great War, contributed towards the between 1914 and 1918. soundtracks by reading out research or by singing songs Gosport Heritage Open Days from the era. (GHODs) in collaboration with Splodge Designs, were To make these displays usable fortunate to secure grants and enjoyable to a wide range from the Heritage Lottery Fund of people, including those “First World War: Then and with sensory or cognitive Now” programme. The research impairments, a variety and creative activities ran of accessible techniques from 2014 through to 2018 to were used. These included commemorate the centenary of information boards with the 1918 Armistice which came tactile sections, descriptive into effect on 11 November. images, large and easy-to-read lettering and good contrast The aim was to increase to background. Most of the general awareness of Gosport’s written information is provided contribution to the war effort in audio format, accessible for on both military and civilian personal or group use or via fronts. It was also important Discovery Pens, which are a to capture the learning and great aid for people who have creativity from the projects a visual or hearing impairment. so that they could be easily The GHODs website also accessed for generations. provides images of the displays online with audio description Splodge Designs motivated and transcriptions suitable for local community groups to e-readers. explore their heritage through workshops using interactive methods to share information and images. 4 Equinox www.yourwebsite.com 5 Fleet Review Ammunitions Manufacturing In July 1914 a large mobilisation and review Prior to the war Priddy’s Hard was already an established ammunitions of the fleet, in the presence of King George manufacturer. During the Great War the need for ammunitions was greatly V, was held in the Solent. The review increased. Because many men had gone away to fight, the demand was met by contained 24 Dreadnoughts, the latest and employing thousands of women to work on a shift basis 24 hours a day, 7 days particularly powerful battleships, 35 other a week. Royal Clarence Yard was traditionally one of the Navy’s main victualling battleships, 49 cruisers, 26 submarines and establishments, which meant that it supplied much needed food. Again, this 78 destroyers. The fleet was manned by provided countless job opportunities for local women. around 100,000 sailors. In Gosport the Commander of the Military Garrison lined up his men from Haslar Family Life in Gosport Hospital to Gilkicker Fort. Aircraft from the Royal Flying Corps based in Gosport flew overhead. It was even advertised Families were greatly affected by the ongoing war, not just emotionally but that Gamma, a British airship, would be taking to the skies but unfortunately, financially as well. The average wage for a soldier with the rank of Private was she remained stuck in a field in Fort Grange. An audience of thousands crowded a shilling a day whereas, before the war, a labourer could earn 26 shillings a Portsmouth vantage points and Stokes Bay for a view of the spectacle. Three week. In 1914 the National Relief fund was set up, the Gosport branch was weeks later, on 6th August 1914, Britain declared war on Germany and The Great chaired by George Dukes, Gosport District Council and it was supported by War commenced. Early thoughts were that this would be a short war with all the Portsmouth Evening News. It met at Thorngate Hall, which was then in involved home by Christmas. However, with four years of fighting and around the town centre, where applicants would have to go to be assessed. Funded 800,000 British troops killed this was a war of change - new ways of fighting, by local charity drives The Gosport and Alverstoke Soup Kitchen distributed new machinery, great hardships. soup to people in need. Women and girls were encouraged to show their patriotism by forming knitting groups making jumpers, socks, scarves, gloves and balaclavas for the army and navy. This not only helped the servicemen but also allowed the women to share their fears and anxieties within the support of Gosport’s Unique Position the group. Due to Gosport’s strategic location, activity in the area drastically increased with the onset of war. As troops were drawn to arms, villages full of tents were set up to house them. These were known as ‘Tent Cities’. Large groups of families and friends came to Gosport railway station to wave off the thousands Casualties and Hospitals of soldiers who were transported to Southampton Dock to board ships taking As the war proceeded, its ugly them off to war. side revealed itself as numerous casualties were transported back to England and in the South initially to Southampton. The 5th Entertainment in Gosport Southern General Hospital was the With the influx of military personnel into Gosport there came the need to term that covered all the military entertain and boost the morale of troops and civilians alike. Gosport had controlled hospitals in Portsmouth many places of entertainment, such as theatres, cinemas and pubs. With so and Gosport. As casualties mounted many people gathered together in one place, they were the ideal locations for other premises were commandeered recruitment drives. Many more soldiers were needed to boost the ranks and a including The National Children’s variety of tactics were used to persuade men to sign up, even so far as inviting Home in Alverstoke. When casualties them up on stage and convincing them to demonstrate their loyalty to protecting arrived in Gosport they were taken England in front of the whole audience. to Haslar Hospital by steam launch. 6 Equinox www.yourwebsite.com 7 REMEMBERING THE UNFORGETTABLE The Great War is a subject so broad and diverse and this project is just a starting point. Through recordings, photographs and personal stories, it investigates the start of the war in 1914 and Gosport’s involvement. Through community workshops, five large textile displays along with accompanying soundtracks were made to depict this period. We hope that through the findings we keep ‘Remembering the Fort Brockhurst Letters Unforgettable’ and honouring the part that Gosport and its community At the end of the war Fort During the Great War communication played in our history. Brockhurst was used as a discharge was so important for morale and an depot for soldiers returning from estimated 2 billion letters and 114 service abroad. The photograph million parcels were sent keeping HOME above is taken of Lynne Thomson families in touch. Chreiazomenou’s grandfather with a group relaxing at Fort Brockhurst. Memorial Plaquette Christmas Card from 1,355,000 of these plaques were Princess Mary issued to the next of kin of Empire The 17 year old daughter of King and British service personnel who George V decided set up a fund so died in World War One. Due to its that every person serving away could sad associations it was known as the receive a gift from ‘home’ paid for Dead Mans’ Penny. Created out of by donations from the public. During bronze, it was 12 cm (5 “) in diameter. Christmas 1914 gift boxes were sent to those serving. As well as Christmas cards, the boxes also contained gifts such as tobacco, cigarettes or chocolate. 8 Equinox www.yourwebsite.com 9 Alice Rebecca Penfold Letters from the War Field Postcards Priddy’s Hard Ammunition As a Dispatch Rider who worked at A personal correspondence between a These postcards showed pre-typed Workers Grange Airfield, her job was to deliver husband and wife. It reads: phrases, so that soldiers would cross Around 12,000 women worked in important military documents to “My Darling Wife and Children, Just out what was not applicable. These Royal Clarence Yard and Priddy’s and from the base. One of the most a line to let you know I am still quite postcards were a form of censorship Hard on a shift basis 24/7. The Royal important deliveries was the official well, as I hope this will find you all. I am and the soldiers were not allowed Clarence Victualling Yard provided paperwork, which informed the unable to say much more except God to add any other information to the food for the Navy. The Royal Naval airfield of the official end to the war. bless you and watch over you, I remain cards. It was important that they Armament Depot (RNAD) supplied She was reported as being a bit of a your loving husband and father Tom xxx did not divulge information of their ammunition. This photo shows rebel in a local newspaper when she Look out for news in papers.” whereabouts when fighting on the Priddy’s Hard ammunition workers was caught exceeding the speed limit frontline. in their white overalls and hats. They of 20mph! also wore clogs to reduce the risk of a spark that might trigger an explosion. After a few weeks of working Memorial with chemicals, the colour of their Kitty McCarthy 1917 skin turned yellow and they were With the new roles Scroll affectionately nicknamed “canaries” women took on, it Signed by or canary girl.