First World War

Lord Strathcona’s Horse on the march, 1918

Beauty in desolation: Munnings and the First World War

In 1918, the artist Alfred Munnings was tasked with recording the wartime contribution of the Canadian Cavalry Brigade and Forestry Corps. His paintings highlight the military role of horses, capturing their beauty in the war-affected landscapes of France.

1st Reserve Regiment of Cavalry in training, 1914

Cavalry on the Western Front

In the First World War, the cavalry could no longer deliver the decisive charges it had performed in the past. But it continued to carry out a variety of useful roles that contributed to British success.

Horse power in the First World War

Without its hard-working horses, the Army could not have functioned during the First World War. Their contribution included carrying and pulling supplies, ammunition, artillery and even the wounded.

Army horse care in the First World War

During the First World War, the Army relied on its horses to perform a wide range of jobs. The requisition, transportation and care of these animals was therefore of huge importance.

Jan Smuts: The warrior-statesman

Field Marshal Jan Christiaan Smuts successfully led troops against Britain in the Boer War. He later commanded the South African Defence Force fighting alongside British soldiers in several First World War campaigns.

Peace and commemoration

After the Armistice in November 1918, millions of soldiers hoped they would soon go home. But demobilising so many troops was a huge task. How best to mark the Allied victory also became a subject for debate.

Celtic plaid brooch taken from the body of a Sinn Féin rebel, 1916

Easter Rising

On Easter Monday 1916, Irish nationalists launched an armed revolt against British rule in Ireland. Although quickly suppressed by the British Army, the rising was a seminal moment in modern Irish history.

Egypt and Palestine campaign

The struggle against the Turks in Egypt and Palestine began with a test of endurance and engineering in harsh desert terrain. It evolved into a fast-moving mobile campaign, which resulted in Allied victory and the fall of the Ottoman Empire.

Warrington Road in the Ypres Salient, 1917

1917: Year of stalemate

In 1917, Germany adopted a defensive strategy on the Western Front to counter the growing strength of the Allies. Despite launching several offensives, and suffering heavy casualties, the Allies achieved mixed results.

Herbert Kitchener: The taskmaster

Field Marshal Herbert Kitchener was famous for colonial victories in the Sudan and South Africa. Later, he helped build Britain’s first mass army during the First World War.

Carved figure of a sergeant of the King's African Rifles, 1917

East Africa campaign

Throughout the First World War, British Empire soldiers fought against a small German force in East Africa. Led by Colonel Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck, the Germans inflicted many casualties and avoided defeat in the field.

Turkish prisoners after General Brooking's victory at Ramadi, September 1917

Mesopotamia campaign

During the First World War, Britain's troops fought the Ottomans in Mesopotamia (now Iraq). Despite many setbacks, they finally took Baghdad in March 1917. This marked the high point of a long and tragic campaign fought in a harsh climate.

Explore First World War events

Talk

3 Jul 2026 FREE

Newfoundland, Memory and the Somme

Join historian Julia Laite as she explores Newfoundland’s experience of the First World War and the lasting legacy of Beaumont Hamel.

Two soldiers of the 15th Lancers (Cureton’s Multanis) sitting on the ground, 1915

Members Only

3 Jul 2026 FREE

Drawn on the Western Front: Members’ Preview

Enjoy an exclusive preview of the upcoming exhibition 'Drawn on the Western Front: Paul Sarrut and the Indian Army' with lead curator Anna Lavelle.

Sepoy Harnam Singh of the 34th Sikh Pioneers, 1915

Exhibition

7 Jul 2026 - 21 Feb 2027 FREE

Drawn on the Western Front: Paul Sarrut and the Indian Army

Through a unique selection of intimate sketches, this exhibition offers a rare glimpse of everyday life for soldiers serving far from home during the First World War.

Soldiers of the 57th Wilde's Rifles, January 1915

Talk

10 Jul 2026 FREE

Drawn on the Western Front: Curator’s Introduction

Anna Lavelle, lead curator of the new exhibition ‘Drawn on the Western Front’, explores the wartime work of French artist Paul Sarrut.

Military policemen of the 3rd (Lahore) Division, France, November 1914

Spotlight

11 Jul 2026 FREE

Sarrut Spotlight

To mark the opening of our new exhibition, ‘Drawn on the Western Front: Paul Sarrut and the Indian Army’, join us for a day of talks, tours and activities.

Challenge

11-14 Aug 2026 FREE

Game On: First World War

Delve into the fascinating history of the First World War with our giant, interactive board game. Take on our challenge to make it to the end and beat the game.

People feeling the textures of items in the handling collection

Workshop

5 Sep 2026 FREE

Drawn on the Western Front: Sensory Session

Discover more about the contribution of Indian soldiers through a sensory session led by our Community Engagement Team.

Tour

12 Sep 2026 £2.00

Drawn on the Western Front: BSL Tour

Follow expert guide Edward Richards on a British Sign Language (BSL) tour of our exhibition ‘Drawn on the Western Front: Paul Sarrut and the Indian Army’.

Part of a First World War propaganda poster showing a soldier and a munitions worker

Primary

15 Sep 2026 - 15 Jul 2027 FREE

Your Country Needs You! Propaganda and recruitment (virtual)

Explore how advertising and propaganda work, particularly focusing on recruitment campaigns of the First World War.

School students getting to grips with the handling collection

Secondary

15 Sep 2026 - 15 Jul 2027 FREE

Trench medicine: Illnesses, injuries and their treatment

Explore artefacts and sources on the causes and treatment of injuries and illnesses on the Western Front during the First World War, and assess the impact of these innovations.

Secondary

15 Sep 2026 - 15 Jul 2027 FREE

Recruitment and conscription

Analyse recruitment posters from the Museum's collection and multimedia recreations of First World War parliamentary debates to explore the history of Army recruitment and conscription.