The home front

Throughout the First World War schools responded rapidly to calls for fundraising and collecting donation items. They supported Belgian orphans and French children.

Students made comfort items to send to soldiers at the front, including handwritten messages. Informal junior Red Cross groups in schools were popular and active.

As the war continued into 1917 and 1918, families struggled to make ends meet. Schools grew vegetables for the Soldiers’ Fruit and Vegetable Fund.