This year (2014) marks the centenary of the outbreak of World War 1.
We've put together a link pack highlighting the activities various government departments are undertaking to commemorate the outbreak of the war and mark Remembrance Day.
The First World War Centenary topic page on GOV.UK is the obvious place to start. It has all the latest news from around government, as well links to all publications, announcements and policies related to the centenary and Remembrance Day.
Sir Nicholas Macpherson, Permanent Secretary at HM Treasury has written a really nice piece about the important role the Civil Service played in the First World War.
The Foreign & Commonwealth Office live tweeted the events leading up to the outbreak of war, using the words, telegrams, dispatches and letters from key players in the crisis, including Sir Edward Grey, the Foreign Secretary.
The History of government blog (which is always worth checking out) have published a variety of articles using WW1 as an inspiration, including:
- the story of how the war saw Mrs Edith Smith become the first female police officer
- a trip to WW1 battlefields site by 14 year-old Charlotte Taylor
- the story of how civil servants kept government running during WW1
There are also some fantastic pieces on GOV.UK which show the breadth of work undertaken by the Civil Service during WW1, including:
- a serial history of technical problems dealt with by Admiralty departments from The UK Hydrographic Office
- artwork from WW1 (as well as other wars) held by the Ministry of Defence
- the last letters and wills of soldiers from the war being made available by Ministry of Justice
- a review of a CSSC visit to Flanders by Sean Armstrong from Defra
If your department is doing something let us know in the comments below or tweet us @UKCivilService and we'll add it to the list.
1 comment
Comment by Tess Tinker posted on
The Department for International Development (DFID) is participating in an event on 3rd August at Highclere Castle. The Earl and Countess of Carnarvon, the owners of Highclere Castle (the fictional house used in the Downton Abbey TV series), are hosting a public event on Sunday 3rd August to commemorate WWI (http://www.highclerecastle.co.uk/uploads/assets/Heroes_at_Highclere_Poster.pdf). There will be an interactive ‘humanitarian camp’ with representatives and stalls. DFID staff will participate to showcase the UK Goverment's work in humanitarian crises. DFID are participating alongside Oxfam who will be there to raise funds for the Syria crisis.