The horrible truth about the First World War

03/06/2008

A landmark exhibition called "Horrible Histories: Frightful First World War " has been developed to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the end of the First World War. It is the result of a unique partnership between the Imperial War Museum North, author Terry Deary and Scholastic Children's Books.

 

This unmissable, free, family exhibition, specially designed for younger visitors, is based on the book 'Frightful First World War' - one of the popular 'Horrible Histories' series by author Terry Deary. 

 

Using powerful words and illustrations by artist Martin Brown, it tells the stories of the men and women, servicemen and civilians, who shaped and endured what was described as the war to end all wars.

 

Writes Deary: "Of all the history in all the world the story of the First World War - also known as the Great War - is perhaps the most horrible. It's a story of what happens when machines go to war and human beings get in the way. But it's also a story of courage and craziness, brave people and batty people, friendships and fierce hatreds, love and lice."

 

Visitors can follow the 'Frightful First World War timeline' and see rare objects, art, film and photographs to discover the dire details of a war that affected everyone - from peace-loving protestors to suffering soldiers and civilians. The horrors and hardships of the war were meant to last four months, but actually ground on for four long, grim years.

 

The exhibition reveals the lies told to troops, how the enemies in the trenches stopped fighting to play friendly football matches - and how the war brought foul food and even fouler water. Children and adults alike can see how soldiers dealt with fly and lice infestations, killer gas, sickness and sores. They can explore beetle racing, who wore what clothes and what they felt like, smell the stenches, disguise themselves in a camouflage tree  and peer into no man's land with a periscope in a large-scale trench.

 

Rare objects are also on display, such as Kaiser Wilhelm II's greatcoat (especially made for him to accommodate his shorter left arm), a half-ton German Trench Mortar (with traces of original camouflage paint), the helmet which King George V wore to visit the Western Front, a letter from Siegfried Sassoon (written in hospital while being treated for shell shock), a collection of documents relating to the famous Christmas truce, the pen which signed the prolongation armistice, original signs from trenches - and even German toilet paper!

 

Amazingly, almost every family in Britain, France, Germany and Russia lost someone, and visitors can search for memorials in their own area and find out if a family name is on the Commonwealth War Graves register.

 

Horrible Histories author Terry Deary comments: "My Horrible Histories are black comedy for young readers - so the First World War is an appropriate subject. It was the gallows' humour of the people  that helped them survive the horrors, and it's a lesson in how  humanity copes with the worst the world can throw at us. That's what  education should be about - preparing us for life, the horrible as well as the good."

 

Jim Forrester, Director of Imperial War Museum North said: "By putting Terry's words and Martin Brown's illustrations alongside the  Museum's collections and photographs, we will be creating a poignant  and memorable experience for young and old alike in this 90th anniversary year. "

 

The anniversary is also an important milestone in the Imperial War  Museum's own history, as it was founded during the First World War as 'a lasting memorial of common effort and common sacrifice' to those who played their part in the conflict in which over 700,000 British servicemen lost their lives.

 

The Imperial War Museum North is open 7 days a week from 10am - 6pm (Nov to Feb 10am - 5pm) with free admission. Address: The Quays, Trafford Wharf Road, Trafford Park, Manchester M17 1TZ (close to Harbour City Metrolink and Junction 9 of the M60). Tel: 0161 836 4000 or visit the first link below.

For more information about the Horrible Histories series visit the second link.