CEF Study Group - Recommended Websites

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*The Bedfordshire Regiment in the Great War

The Bedfordshire Regiment saw action on the Western Front, Gallipoli, Egypt and Palestine. A total of 21 Infantry Battalions were formed within the Regiment between 1914 and 1918. The website contains information on many of the raised Battalions, transcribed war diaries, Orders of Battle, photographs and biographies and a special biographical section on Herbert Charles Kendall. [A Steve Fuller Website][CEF Study Group]

http://www.bedfordregiment.org.uk/

Imperial War Museum – Battle of the Somme

The Battle of the Somme began on 1 July 1916. It lasted for five months and was one of the most bitterly contested and costly battles of the First World War. This Imperial War Museum website presents information organized under the broad categories of The Battle, Personal Stories and The Somme Revisited. Within each of these general categories are a significant number of subsets of information. [CEF Study Group – Sept 2006]

http://www.iwm.org.uk/server/show/nav.00o

Buckinghamshire Remembers

The aim of our work is to help us all to remember those who suffered in the conflict but to devote particular homage to Buckinghamshire men who paid the supreme sacrifice and never lived to enjoy the relative peace that followed. [CEF Study Group – Updated Aug 2010]

http://www.buckinghamshireremembers.org.uk/

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The National Film Board WW1 Film Project

The National Film Board of Canada (NFB) continues a program to digitize Canadian films from the Great War. A collection of films that document Canada's participation in World War I, including training exercises, major battles, aviation footage and the war effort in Canada and include the following film clips:

Colonel Sam Hughes Reviews the Troops, Canadian Training School in Bexhill, Sir Robert Borden with Canadian Troops 1, 2nd and 10th Battalions in Training, Cavalry in Training, Canadian Training School in Shorncliffe, Observation Balloons, Fighter Planes, Airplane Casualties, Canadian Journalists Visit France, The 22nd (French Canadian) Battalion, Canadian Generals, Canadian Corps Championship, Hospital Bombed by German Airplanes, German Atrocities in Cemetery, Sir Arthur Currie Being decorated by General Orth, Sir Robert Borden with the Canadian Troops 2, Borden in Ottawa, Canadian Forestry Corps, Canadian Light Railway Section 1, Moving Heavy Equipment On Muddy Roads, Canadian Engineers Laying Field Telephones, Canadians on the Western Front 1, August Offensive 2, Salvage Work on the Canadian Front, Prisoners and Wounded Coming in Dressing Station, Canadians on the Western Front 2, August Offensive 1, Battle of Arras 1, Canadian Troops in Action, To Willie With Compliments, Battle of Arras 4, Battle of Arras 2, Canadians Advance Near Cambrai 3, Canadians Advance Near Cambrai 2, Canadians Advance Near Cambrai 1, September Offensive 3, September, Offensive 2, Canadians Advance East of Arras 2, August Offensive 7, August Offensive 5, August Offensive 4, August Offensive 6, Battle of Arras 3, Canadians Advance East of Arras 1, September Offensive 1, Bourlon Wood, On the Road to Valenciennes, Valenciennes 1, Canadians Moving to Germany, Canadian Victoria Cross Winners, Canadians at Mons and Valenciennes 2. [CEF Study Group - May 2006 - Updated]

http://www.nfb.ca/ww1/

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Werner Voss - Wikipedia Website

A standard Wikipedia summary of Werner Voss, with military service, background on his combat death and background references.[CEF Study Group - Sept 2010]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Werner_Voss

Werner Voss - The Life Of A Teenage Ace

This simple website provides background on his life, his relationship with the Red Baron, the details of his famous last combat against some very experienced Allied pilots, a chronology of his decorations including the Pour le Merit. [CEF Study Group - Sept 2010]

http://blindkat.hegewisch.net/voss/bio.html

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Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae

A Canadian federal government website with general background on Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae and includes the South African War and the Great War. The day before he wrote his famous poem, one of McCrae's friends (Lt. Alexis Helmer http://data2.archives.ca/cef/gpc006/385066a.gif) was killed in the fighting and buried in a makeshift grave with a simple wooden cross. Wild poppies were already beginning to bloom between the crosses marking the many graves. Unable to help his friend or any of the others who had died, John McCrae gave them a voice through his poem. It was the second last poem he was to write. [CEF Study Group - Updated July 2006]

http://www.vac-acc.gc.ca/general/sub.cfm?source=history/firstwar/mccrae

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The Empire Club of Canada

The Empire Club of Canada, established in 1903, is recognized as one of Canada's oldest and largest speakers' forums with a membership comprised of some of Canada's most influential leaders from the professions, business, labour, education and government. Over its history it has been addressed by more than 3500 prominent Canadian and international leaders - men and women who have distinguished themselves in many fields of endeavour. These addresses are presented in their entirety with a database index of speeches, accessible by speaker, title, keyword, topic and or date of publication. One can read the speeches of Sir Arthur Currie or Sir Sam Hughes from this website. Every on-line speech index includes as synopsis and full biographical description. A small sample of speeches associated with the Great War are listed below. [CEF Study Group - Updated Aug 2010]

http://speeches.empireclub.org/AdvancedSearch

• The Last Hundred Days of the War - Sir Arthur Currie Speech (29 August 1919)

For those wishing to obtain more background on General Currie upon his return to Canada and just prior to the campaign by Sir Sam Hughes and others to discredit him; here is the major speech presented to a joint meeting of the Empire Club of Canada and the Canadian Club in Massey Hall on 29 August 1919. In addition, this site has over 100 other speeches on the Great War - most are somewhat bombastic but provide an indication of the thought and temperament of the time. [CEF Study Group - Updated Aug 2010]

http://speeches.empireclub.org/60222/data?n=5

• The Record of the Canadian Cavalry Brigade -The Rt. Honourable J.E.B. Seely (4 Oct 1920)

"The very thrilling story of the Canadian Cavalry. How this brigade was formed; some actions that it did. The speaker’s command of this brigade. A crisis in the war after a period of training. Canada’s knack for being present at almost every crisis. The wicked act by the Germans of the employment of lethal gas against the promise they had given to the whole civilized world. The terrible losses suffered by the Canadians. Duty in the trenches. Remounting for the battle of the Somme. Useful work done in building and strengthening the front lines and in relieving the infantry. Encircling and capturing the village of Joncourt. The heroism of young Gardiner and of Harvey, who got his Victoria Cross. Outstanding accomplishments of each unit of the brigade. The first battle of Cambrai, when tanks were employed in great numbers for the first time. The surprising success of the tanks. The second battle of Cambrai. Details of more battles and attacks. The climax. Finding themselves in the disorganization of retreat under the command of a French General Dublo. Holding Moreau Ridge near Amiens. A reading of General Foch’s letter, with reference to the “heroism of the valiant Canadian Cavalry Brigade.” “Canada first” in valour and self-sacrifice."

http://speeches.empireclub.org/62167/data?n=12

• A Short Review of my Visit to the European Manoeuvres - Col. The Hon. Sam Hughes ( 13 Nov 1913)

"The speaker's view of how money had in the past been spent on the militia. Conceiving the idea of establishing the cadet corps on a universal basis throughout the Dominion. Response to the idea, particularly in Quebec. The effect of the drill halls in Canada. Comments on military training. Training the boys in the cadet system. Inspiring the proper spirit throughout the length and breadth of the country. Removing the prejudice in the minds of the best class of men in the community; the wrong impression that was in their minds regarding the militia of the country. How this was done. Banishing liquor from the training camps. The experiment of having the officers cross the water to the British manoeuvres, and to the French manoeuvres and the valuable experience that provided. Criticisms made against the Department of the Militia. The peace celebration to be held next year. Some details of the experiences of the men who were sent overseas to take part in British and French manoeuvres. The speaker's observations of the situation in Europe. Intentions of the German Empire. The situation with regard to Belgium, Holland, Germany, and France. The British divisional manoeuvres. The speaker's personal experiences in Scotland.

http://speeches.empireclub.org/60470/data?p=d

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The New York Public Library - Digital

The NYPL Digital Gallery provides access to over 415,000 images digitized from primary sources and printed rarities in the collections. This section includes a wide selection of German World War I photographic postcards. [CEF Study Group - Dec 2005]

http://digitalgallery.nypl.org/nypldigital/dgkeysearchresult.cfm?parent_id=452489&word

George Eastman House - Still Photograph Archive

This part of a larger photographic website contains an index and access to 510 selected images from Turkey and soldiers of the Ottoman Empire just prior to and during the Great War. [CEF Study Group - Dec 2005]

http://www.eastmanhouse.org/tools/results.php?cx=010826528208080252376%3Anqagz83huc4&cof=FORID%3A11&ie=UTF-8&q=military&sa=Search#933

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To Keep in Memory - War Memorials of Barwick in Elmet & Scholes

This simple website (renamed) commemorates and offers short biographies of the men from Barwick in Elmet, and Scholes who were lost in both world wars. The website, if you search, also offers a poignant reminder of a modern day parents' loss of a son – past and present, many others have experienced and understand. [CEF Study Group - Updated Sept 2010]

http://www.pro-patria-mori.co.uk/barwickandscholes/

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Records of C.E.W. Bean - Records of C.E.W. Bean, Official Historian

Charles Edward Woodrow Bean was Australia’s official war correspondent during the First World War and was later appointed official historian for that conflict. The personal records created by Bean in the course of those appointments now form part of the official records series: AWM38 Official History, 1914–18 War: Records of C.E.W. Bean, Official Historian. The Memorial has digitized 286 volumes of diaries, notebooks, and folders kept by Bean during and after the war and used by him to write the official history of the First World War. [CEF Study Group - Sept 2010]

http://www.awm.gov.au/collection/war_diaries/cew_bean/

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George C. Marshall in World War I (1916-1919) - A Most Efficient Officer In Every Respect

A short article by Blaine A. Horton of Shepherd College this material, which is part of the Western Front Assocation website, provides an overview of George C. Marshall from the Great War. Marshall was later Army Chief of Staff the commanding officer over Eisenhower during the Second World War. [CEF Study Group - Sept 2010]

http://www.wfa-usa.org/new/geomarshall.htm

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The Machine Gun Corps Old Comrades' Association

The Old Comrades' Association was formed by Veterans of the Machine Gun Corps after WW1 and. There are only six MGC Veterans, however, most members nowadays are relatives or descendant's of MGC men or those simply interested in the MGC specifically or the Great War in general. The Association provides research assistance and commemoration services. [CEF Study Group - July 2006 - Updated]

http://www.machineguncorps.co.uk/index.html

The Vickers Machine Gun

At present this is the premier website regarding the Vickers Machine Gun was used by most units in the BEF, CEF, AIF and ANZACS. This website includes a specialized discussion forum, information on the machine gun, machine gunner training, detailed training manuals and photographs. The British Mk. I .303" Vickers Machine Gun was introduced into the British Army on the 26th of November, 1912 by List Of Changes 16217. This was the beginning of its long life with the British Army. It was finally declared obsolete on the 7th of March, 1968. [A Richard Fisher Website][CEF Study Group - Feb 2006]

http://www.vickersmachinegun.org.uk

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Ballymena 1914-1918 - Carved in stone ... but not forgotten

This website provides a backgrounder on the district, lists many of the soldiers in a virtual, church registers listing men enlisted and casualties by church congregation, a "War Weekly" news format section with news from the Front, and a connection to the 36th Ulster Division. [A Desmond7 Website][CEF Study Group - Sept 2010]

http://www.freewebs.com/snake43/

The 36th (Ulster) Division - Their role in the Great War 1914-1918

This website dedicated to the 36th (Ulster) Division which fought with great distinction on the Western Front during World War One. The site is still under development but shows great promise - there are sections on formation, training, inspection and specific actions on the Western Front. [CEF Study Group - Sept 2010]

http://www.freewebs.com/denbob/index.htm

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The Great War Society

The Great War Society encourages discussion, learning, scholarship and independent research on the events surrounding the First World War. This site is designed to reach those of you who share our enthusiasm and interest in this historical era, to allow correspondence between us and to assist you in your investigations. [CEF Study Group - Updated Aug 2010]

http://www.the-great-war-society.org/

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War Poets Association

This page contains some links to other websites, mainly to single poet societies, which will be of interest to members of the War Poets Association and other users of this site. Please note that the WPA is not responsible for the content of these external websites. Many of these links may be repeated on other pages of this site, for example links to single poet societies from the page for that individual poet. The WPA welcomes links to its home page or other pages from relevant quality websites. Please e-mail editor@warpoets.org if you would like us to provide a link to your website. [Recommendation by marina - GWF][CEF Study Group – Dec 2006]

http://www.warpoets.org/links/

Modern History Sourcebook: World War I Poetry

This simple website contains some poems by Sassoon, Owen, Read, Hodgson, Gibson and Larkin. [Recommendation by marina - GWF][CEF Study Group – Dec 2006]

http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/1914warpoets.html

Prose & Poetry - FirstworldWar.com

An extensive summary of a wide range of Great War poets with biographies and sample poems. [Recommendation by marina - GWF][CEF Study Group – Dec 2006]

http://www.firstworldwar.com/poetsandprose/index.htm

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The Nieuport Aircraft Page

This is a well presented visual website on the single-seat French Nieuport scout aircraft. The site is organized into the following elements: Nieuport Identification, Aircraft Profiles, Period Nieuport Drawings, Nieuport Survivors, and a long list of WW1 Nieuport Serial Numbers. [Michael Fletcher Website] [CEF Study Group - July 2006]

http://mars.ark.com/~mdf/nieuport.html

Fokker Dr1.com

This site is dedicated to the documentation of the pictorial history of the 320 Fokker Dr.I single-seat, tri-plane aircraft built during World War I and the fighter pilot Manfred Von Richthofen. The intent of the webmaster is to research and identify all 320 Fokker Dr1 planes built during the Great War and to produce a colored illustration of each aircraft. [CEF Study Group - June 2006]

http://www.fokkerdr1.com/Mainpage.htm

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Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5

A simple Wikipedia website on the Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5 fighter.

[CEF Study Group – Jan 2007][Wikipedia Website]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Aircraft_Factory_S.E.5

SPAD S.XIII

A simple Wikipedia website on the Société Pour L'Aviation et ses Dérivés SPAD S.XIII fighter .[CEF Study Group – Jan 2007][Wikipedia Website]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SPAD_S.XIII

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The Vintage Aviator

The Vintage Aviator Ltd. is a New Zealand Civil Aviation approved aircraft restoration and manufacturing company. They endeavour to maintain absolute authenticity with the original design. They make both airworthy and static aircraft for museum display and private collections. There is an extensive range of photographs, drawings and specifications to access including the following: Albatros DVa, FE.2b, Fokker DVII, SE.5a, Re.8 Reproduction, Bristol F2B, and the Sopwith Triplane Replica. This is a quality website with a unique business operation. [CEF Study Group – Sept 2010]

http://thevintageaviator.co.nz/

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The Newfoundland Regiment and the Great War

This website contains the military files of over 2200 soldiers from the Royal Newfoundland Regiment who served in the First World War, including those of the 1305 young men who died in the conflict. These files are searchable by name or by community and will therefore provide invaluable information for all viewers, but will be of particular interest to those who are conducting either family or community research. [Recommended by Thomas Skelding ][CEF Study Group - Sept 2010]

http://www.therooms.ca/regiment/part1_entering_the_great_war.asp

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*The Regimental Rogue – Canada

This updated website contains a wide range of information on the Canadian Armed Forces from the Northwest Rebellion to present day. There is a detailed list of the Great War battles and Battle Honours, and a section on the perpetuation of the units of the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF), 1914-1919. O'Leary has added some additional features including "The Rogue Papers", "Tactical Primers" and "The Regimental Library". There is an excellent section on researching a CEF soldier and a nice list linking fallen Royal Canadian Regiment members with an Honour Roll, cemeteries and, and in some cases with a headstone photograph. [CEF Study Group – Updated Sept 2010]

http://regimentalrogue.tripod.com/index.htm

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Library and Archives Canada - Military History

This is the fundamental URL Internet address for most Canadian Expeditionary Force researchers. This site contains a wide range of basic links and data bases and represents a "starting point" for many people beginning research on the CEF in the Great War. For ease of navigation, several other website recommendations come from this “parent” website. [CEF Study Group - Updated Aug 2010)]

http://www.collectionscanada.ca/war-military/index-e.html

Library and Archives Canada - Regimental Number List

The Regimental Number List of the Canadian Expeditionary Force is a guide which links a soldier’s regiment number to his assigned military unit. With the military unit’s name, a researcher can then search the War Diaries database. This website provides a scanned image page linking “Block Numbers” to “Military Units”. [CEF Study Group – Updated Aug 2010]

http://www.collectionscanada.ca/02/02015203_e.html#info

Library and Archives Canada - Soldiers of the First World War (1914-1918)

Over 600,000 Canadians enlisted in the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) during the First World War (1914-1918). The CEF database is an index to those personnel files, which are held by the National Archives. To date, over 800,000 images of Attestation papers have been scanned and are being made available on-line. This material can be downloaded at no charge. The file format is a standard JPEG file. From this basic information a researcher can obtain the necessary information to acquire the full military file of a Great War soldier, however, in this latter case there will be a research fee. The CEF Study Group maintains a list of recommended National Archives researchers. [NOTE: Attestation registers (RG 9 II B 8 ) contained in volumes 1 to 654 and may only be consulted at the Library and Archives Canada – they are not yet scanned and on-line.][CEF Study Group - Updated Aug 2010]

http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/databases/cef/index-e.html

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Library and Archives Canada - War Diaries of the First World War

This database contains the digitized War Diaries of the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) units. From the start of the First World War, CEF units were required to maintain a daily account of their “Actions in the Field.” This log was called a War Diary. The War Diaries are not personal diaries, rather they are a historical record of a unit’s administration, operations and activities during the First World War. [CEF Study Group - Updated July 2006]

http://www.collectionscanada.ca/archivianet/020152_e.html

NOTE: Someday it would be very interesting to access and translate the German war diaries for the same section of front during the same time period - this would perhaps enable the reader to understand the "other side" within the same chronological period. Access to discussion forum members interested and fluent in German and English would be required - perhaps from this discusssion forum?

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The Last Post Association - Menin Gate at Ypres

The Last Post Association is an independent, voluntary, non-profit organization. The Association founded the Last Post Ceremony in 1928 and is still responsible for the day-to-day organization of this unique act of homage. This daily tribute - performed by a team of local buglers - serves to honour the memory of the soldiers of the British Empire, who fought and died in the immortal Ypres Salient during the First World War. It is the aim of the Last Post Association to maintain this ceremony in perpetuity. NOTE: Guests may arrange book special commemorations via email. [CEF Study Group - Sept 2010]

http://www.lastpost.be/en/index/index/slug/home

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Captain Albert Ball - VC, DSO, MC

This elegant website contains a detailed summary of Captain Albert Ball of the Royal Flying Corps. There is a detailed listing of aircraft flown, aircraft shot down, flight history, memorabilia, extensive photographs of Captain Ball and recollections from others. [CEF Study Group - Updated Aug 2010]

http://albertball.homestead.com/

Raymond Collishaw - World War I Fighter Ace

A simple website with a short overview history of a Canadian fighter pilot. Collishaw flew "Black Maria" a Sopwith Triplane from "Black Flight" of 10 Naval RNAS. He remained with the RAF after the Great War, was active in the Second World War with the RAF and finally retired again to Canada. [CEF Study Group - Nov 2005]

http://www.constable.ca/caah/colishaw.htm

William George Barker - World War I Fighter Ace

A simple website summarizing the military life of this oft forgotten Canadian pilot who was one of the most decorated men of the Great War. A recommended book by W. Ralph is "BARKER VC" by Vanwell Publishers. [CEF Study Group - Nov 2005]

http://www.constable.ca/caah/barker.htm

Donald Roderick MacLaren - World War I Fighter Ace

Donald MacLaren, the third most successful Canadian ace of the war after Bishop and Collishaw, had 54 kills - 43 coming in just over four months. He was the master of the Sopwith Camel aircraft. [CEF Study Group - Nov 2005]

http://www.constable.ca/caah/maclaren.html

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Santerre 14-18 - French Site

A French language site with some little known photographs, diagrams, recommended books including several CEF books, short histories and a rare photograph of a German AV7 tank attacking at Villers-Brettoneaux on 24 April 1918. [CEF Study Group - April 2005]

http://www.chez.com/santerre1418/

War, Literature and the Arts

A publication of the United States Air Force Academy. The opinions expressed in this journal may not necessarily be those of the editors, the Academy, or the Department of the Air Force. WLA exists as a forum for many voices seeking an understanding of war and art, and the intersection of the two. Appears to be very well written will detailed articles. [CEF Study Group - April 2005]

http://www.wlajournal.com/

An Unfortunate Region

A website about the Great War battlefields and individuals. There is a unique section with a set of current oblique air photographs of selected battlefields with annotations. The site also provides some unique comments on the neutral "Front" of the Dutch Army during the Great War. [CEF Study Group - May 2005]

http://www.unfortunate-region.org/

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Florida State Archives, Memory Project – World War I

The World War I service cards provide name; age; serial number; race; place of birth; and residence; for service men and women who were either from Florida or who entered service in Florida. The data base and scanned images amount to over 40,000 entries. [CEF Study Group – Sept 2006]

http://floridamemory.com/Collections/wwi/

National WWI Museum - Former Liberty Memorial Museum

This website features new National WWI Museum (formerly the Liberty Memorial Museum and Memorial) from Kansas City, Missouri, USA. The website features short discussions on the Great War from the American perspective. [Recommended by better ole - GWF][CEF Study Group – Dec 2006]

http://www.libertymemorialmuseum.org

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Association for World War Archaeology - Flanders

Association for World War Archaeology or “Actiegroep voor Wereldoorlogarcheologie” was established by a group of archaeologists who have recently been dealing intensively with World War archaeological heritage in Western Flanders. Following the formation of a new “World War I department” within the Flemish Heritage Institute (VIOE), the A.W.A. became its research center. It is very detailed and sets a new example of Internet-based information for both the casual reading and the serious researcher. [CEF Study Group - Updated Aug 2010]

http://www.a-w-a.be/

International Red Cross [iCRC] and the First World War

On 12 October 1914 the ICRC began setting up a system for processing prisoner of war information. An index card for each prisoner was classified by nationality, in files which also contained requests for information. As soon as a piece of information was matched with a request, the Agency was able to send a reply to the family or the place of origin of the prisoner of war concerned. During the war the Agency made out 4,805,000 index cards and dispatched 1,854,914 parcels and consignments of collective relief. In some cases, Great War researchers are able to obtain information from the ICRC. [CEF Study Group - Sept 2005]

http://www.icrc.org/Web/Eng/siteeng0.nsf/iwpList74/2FDBD82390D1CD18C1256B66005E78E4