The Labour Corps

The Labour Corps are World War One’s Army of Workers from across the world who served in the First World War. Many died, but their contributions – carrying, building, washing, cleaning, cooking and more – are rarely acknowledged today.

We launched the Field of Remembrance project at Paganel Primary School making poppies with every child from years 3, 4, 5 and 6 for 'The Unremembered' Labour Corps, working with Big Ideas exploring the lives soldiers who were part of the Labour Corps buried at Lodge Hill Cemetery.

The Labour Corps supplied the army with weapons and ammunition, food and fodder, water and fuel. They built and maintained roads and railways. They were essential to the war effort.

British and Allied Forces struggled to cope with the demand for manpower after the huge losses of men during the Battle of the Somme in 1916. From January 1917, manpower was drawn from the UK, China, India, South Africa, Egypt, Canada, the Caribbean and many other places within the British Empire.

Tens of thousands travelled thousands of miles to defend freedom and although they rarely saw service in the frontline, many died or were seriously injured. Today their contributions and sacrifice are all but forgotten. They are The Unremembered.