Culture Secretary Karen Bradley (above) has announced the final venues chosen to host the iconic poppy scuptures Wave and Weeping Window, by artist Paul Cummins and designer Tom Piper. Continue reading Poppies: final 2018 destinations announced
Tag: World War One
One hundred years on: we will remember them
Two fallen World War 1 soldiers have finally had a rededication service – a century after they lost their lives. Continue reading One hundred years on: we will remember them
Forthview Primary to premiere WW1 animation
The red carpet will be rolled out at Forthview Primary tomorrow for parents to attend the premiere of a special animated film showcasing a project between Historic Environment Scotland, SCRAN (Scottish Cultural Resources Access Network) and Forthview Primary School. Continue reading Forthview Primary to premiere WW1 animation
Learning from history: Scottish pupils to visit Arras
Battle of Arras and Dr Elsie Inglis confirmed as Scottish commemorations for 2017
Scotland will mark the Battle of Arras and the centenary of the death of Dr Elsie Inglis as part of this year’s World War One commemorations, Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop has announced. Continue reading Learning from history: Scottish pupils to visit Arras
The Somme: one hundred years on
Scotland remembers our bloodiest day
The Battle of the Somme will be commemorated with an overnight vigil in the Scottish National War Memorial at Edinburgh Castle and further remembrance events at Contalmaison, the area where the battle took place. Continue reading The Somme: one hundred years on
1.7.1916 Somme Dawn
From the diary of Captain Charles May, 22nd Manchesters (7th Manchester Pals):
1st July 1916: 5.45am
We marched up last night. The most exciting march imaginable. Guns all around us crashed and roared ’til sometimes it was quite impossible to hear oneself speak. It was however a fine sight and one realised from it what gun power really means. Fritz, of course, strafed back in reply causing us some uneasiness and a few casualties before ever we reached the line.
The night passed noisily and with a few more casualties. The Hun puts a barrage on us every now and then and generally claims one or two victims.
It is a glorious morning and is now broad daylight. We go over in two hours time. It seems a long time to wait and I think, whatever happens, we shall all feel relieved once the line is launched.
No Man’s Land is a tangled desert. Unless one could see it one cannot imagine what a terrible state of disorder it is in. Our gunnery has wrecked that and his front-line trenches all right.
But we do not yet seemed to have stopped his machine guns. These are pooping off all along our parapet as I write. I trust they will not claim too many of our lads before the day is over.
Captain Charles May, 22nd Manchesters (7th Manchester Pals). Died 1st July 1916.
Still places available for Somme vigil
The UK Government announced in November 2015 that Vigils would be held to mark the centenary of the Battle of the Somme (1 July 1916). The main Vigil taking place in Scotland will be held in the Scottish National War Memorial in Edinburgh Castle. Continue reading Still places available for Somme vigil
New project remembers ‘the forgotten front’
The Living Memory project remembers the “forgotten front” – the 300,000 war graves and commemorations here in the UK.
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) in partnership with Big Ideas Company are asking the public in the British Isles to re-connect with the war dead buried in their own communities. Broadcaster Kirsty Wark, who lost her great-uncle at the end of the Great War, launched the campaign in Scotland earlier today. Continue reading New project remembers ‘the forgotten front’
Be DAZZLED in Leith
After wowing visitors in London and Liverpool, the extraordinary Dazzle Ship project has moved to Scotland, with a brand new commission by Turner Prize-nominated artist Ciara Phillips lighting up Leith as part of Edinburgh Art Festival 2016. Continue reading Be DAZZLED in Leith
Scars on the City: new exhibition at Museum of Edinburgh
The hardship and horror of a war that reached beyond the front line to our own doorsteps has been captured in a new exhibition at the City of Edinburgh Council’s Museum of Edinburgh.
On display from today until 27 June, Scars on the City: Edinburgh in World War I draws on the Capital’s extensive collection of objects and oral archives to recall what it was like to be in Edinburgh while the war was raging.
Documenting the stories of local munitions workers, nurses and children – and including an account of war recruitment drives that thronged the city’s streets – the display homes in on the tragic zeppelin raids of April 1916 which destroyed local buildings and scarred the Capital.
Councillor Richard Lewis, Culture and Sport Convener for the City of Edinburgh Council, said the exhibition offers a stirring glimpse at life on the home front during WW1. He said: “Scars on the City reveals the will of Edinburgh’s home front and how people coped with the hardship and dangers of the war. Most of the objects and photographs on display are from the city’s own archives, and have been based on fascinating accounts from those who lived through the unrest.
“Over the last year the Council has provided a programme of free exhibitions and events across the city which commemorate the centenary of WW1 and life on the front line. This free to visit display brings it back ‘home’ and recalls what life was like for those left behind. It’s hard to imagine Edinburgh’s skyline being attacked from the air by zeppelins, and it is stirring to see how the city was destroyed, but also how it survived and was rebuilt.”
Exhibition curator Vicky Garrington said she was spoilt for choice when it came to selecting objects for the exhibition. She commented: “We’ve got some wonderful objects that will really transport visitors back to wartime Edinburgh. There are pieces of shrapnel collected after the zeppelin raids on Edinburgh in April 1916. A Braille pocket watch used by a blinded ex-servicemen shows the sacrifices made to defend Britain, and younger visitors will enjoy seeing the toys and games children played with during the war, drawn from the Museum of Childhood collection.
“I was surprised to find out how clued up young people at the time were about the details of the War. Cigarette cards taught them about ranks, Army signals and artillery, while board games challenged them to evade mines and bombs en route to Berlin.”
Scars on the City: Edinburgh in World War I will be on display at the Museum of Edinburgh until 27 June 2015.
The Museum is owned and managed by the City of Edinburgh Council’s Museums & Galleries service and is free to visit.