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How did school students support those in need during the war years?
How did school students support those in need during the war years?
Learning intention – We are examining photographs to learn about intent and context.
Success criteria – We can state ways in which school students were encouraged to support soldiers at the front and items they provided.
Knitted items
Knitted items
Students made comfort items to send to soldiers at the front such as handkerchiefs and knitted socks, balaclavas and scarves. Woollen knitted items also included vests, caps and mittens.
The Education Gazette acknowledged the efforts of school students in supporting the soldiers at the front.
647 articles by three girls
647 articles by three girls
'...Ruby Wallace, 13 years of age, has established something of a record by knitting 100 pairs of socks, 80 pairs of bootees, 20 bonnets, 3 balaclava caps, 4 vests and 30 pairs of mittens. When it is considered that all the work - to be exact, 647 articles - has been done by three girls, it must be admitted that it is a very credible effort.'
The Education Gazette, 1 July 1918, p.183
'The senior girls from Coonamble Public School, who, under the supervision of the teacher's wife (Mrs MacPherson) have spun heaps of yarn and knitted ever so many socks for the Boys at the Front'. The Education Gazette, 1 January 1918, p.6
'Ruby Wallace, of the Edinglassie Provisional School, knitting Socks for Soldiers. The jacket she is wearing was knit by herself.' The Education Gazette, 1 July 1918, p.183
Spinning yarn
Spinning yarn
As the war progressed shortages in woollen yarn resulted in students spinning wool. They used spinning wheels and drop spindles.
Improvising
Improvising
Spinning appliances were made by teachers and parents in support of their children's efforts.
Four methods of spinning, Bondi Public School, 1916 © State of New South Wales through the State Records Authority of NSWNSW State Archives Flickr | No known copyright restrictions
'Spinning wheel with spool-holder and skein-winder made by Mr W.E Cook, teacher, Old Junee Public School'. The Education Gazette, 1 January 1918, p.6
Gifts for the Front - three verses suitable for messages to include in gifts to soldiers in the trenches. The School Magazine, Part 2, 2 July 1917, p.83
Messages to soldiers
Messages to soldiers
Students tucked short messages of support into the comfort items they made, packed them into boxes and took them to the post office for mailing. In July 1917, The School Magazine published several verses students could copy.
These messages brought comfort to the soldiers and some kept their ‘sock messages’ for life.
Maurice John ‘Jack’ Pickrell, a First World War soldier, received socks and comfort items from NSW and Victoria and kept all the messages he received. These can be viewed online at the State Library of NSW, Maurice John Pickerel papers, 1915-1919.
A verse by Mr H.D. McLelland
Around these simple gifts, there lingers
The loving touch of dainty fingers
Urged on by hearts aglow tihe pride
In our splendid boys on the other side.
The Red Cross
The Red Cross
With the establishment of the Australian branch of the Red Cross in 1914, informal junior Red Cross groups were formed in NSW schools and membership was popular and active. These NSW school groups led to the formal establishment of the Australian Junior Red Cross in 1918.
Mount Hope Public School girls on Red Cross Day 1918. The Education Gazette, 1 June 1918, p.135
Mount Hope Public School.
Mount Hope Public School.
'These girls are very energetic in their endeavour to assist the soldiers, by knitting and sewing socks, washers, eye bandages, etc.
Photo taken on Red Cross Day after the girls had been collecting funds for a fresh supply of knitting and sewing material.'
The Education Gazette, 1 June 1918, p.135
Questions
Questions
What is similar in the photographs? Hint - notice the hands, and what else?
How do the photographs make you feel?
Why would these photographs be included in The Education Gazette, a magazine for teachers by the Department of Education?
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