First World War

Vickers machine gun, c1914

Weapons of the Western Front

During the First World War, armies were forced to adapt their tactics and pursue new technologies as a way of breaking the deadlock. Here, we explore some of the weapons used by the British Army on the Western Front.

'The Wipers Times', 6 March 1916

The Wipers Times: The soldiers’ paper

Full of the dark humour typical of soldiers at war, 'The Wipers Times' was one of the finest of many trench publications produced on the Western Front.

Oxo tin, 1915

The original bulletproof vest?

During the First World War, Private Stephen Palmer was sent an Oxo tin that ended up saving his life. Here, we delve deeper into his story and explore some other soldiers' unconventional life-saving possessions.

Burberry trench coat, 2014

Army fashion statements

The Army's influence on fashion is not new. Military dress has made its way from conflict to catwalk over and over again.

Wax surgery teaching model

The birth of plastic surgery

The First World War saw a huge rise in the number of drastic facial injuries. This led to the development of modern facial reconstructive surgery.

Lawrence of Arabia, 1919

Lawrence of Arabia: The man behind the robes

Few British soldiers have a greater legend attached to them than Colonel TE Lawrence - better known as Lawrence of Arabia.

Messenger pigeon, 1917

The British Army entrusted its secrets to birdbrains

During the First World War, the Army often relied on pigeons to deliver important military information. These birds quickly gained a reputation as one of the most reliable forms of communication.

Scottish poppy

Scottish poppy blooms again

Artificial poppies were first sold in Britain in 1921 and have since become one of the main symbols of Remembrance. This Scottish poppy dates from the early days of the Poppy Appeal.

Heavy guns on the Somme, 1916

Battle of the Somme

The 1916 Somme offensive was one of the bloodiest battles of the First World War. But it provided the Army with a tough lesson in how to fight a large-scale modern war.

A raiding party in a trench, 1916

First World War

The First World War was the first truly global conflict. From 1914 to 1918, fighting took place across several continents, at sea and, for the first time, in the air.

Royal Flying Corps

Royal Flying Corps

The Royal Flying Corps was the air arm of the British Army during the First World War.

Group photograph of officers of The Black Watch
Talk
27 Feb 2026 FREE

'Highland Chieftains': The Officers of The Black Watch

Join Ruadhan Scrivener-Anderson as he looks at selection, socialisation and the development of group identity within The Black Watch in the lead-up to the First World War.

Askaris moving a field gun in East Africa
Talk
20 Mar 2026 FREE

Ring of Fire: A New Global History of the Outbreak of the First World War

Historian Alexandra Churchill offers a fresh perspective on the opening year of the conflict, revealing its truly global scale.

Territorial forces checking people's papers at a roadblock
Talk
27 Mar 2026 FREE

Chasing Spies: Local Security and Home Defence in August 1914

Historian Harry Richards reveals the impact of 'spy fever' on British society and home defence during the First World War.

Explore First World War learning resources

Poppies and Remembrance: Gallery Trail
Trail

Poppies and Remembrance: Gallery Trail

Follow this gallery trail to find out more about Remembrance and the lives of soldiers during the First World War.

First World War: Gallery Trail
Trail

First World War: Gallery Trail

Follow this gallery trail to find out more about the role of the British Army during the First World War.

BlackPoppyRose at the National Army Museum
Video

BlackPoppyRose at the National Army Museum

Explore the theme of remembrance and the service of African and Caribbean men and women in the British Army with BlackPoppyRose.

Walter Tull character actor
Video

Walter Tull: A Soldier’s Story

Explore the life and times of Walter Tull, one of Britain’s first black army officers, who served during the First World War.

The Unknown Warrior prior to embarkation at Boulogne, 1920
Video

Virtual Exhibition: The Unknown Warrior

Discover the extraordinary story of the First World War’s Unknown Warrior through our virtual exhibition.

Make Your Own Remembrance Wreath
Home Activity

Make Your Own Remembrance Wreath

Explore the history of the poppy and create your own remembrance wreath in this family friendly activity.

Make Your Own Gift Tin
Home activity

Make Your Own Gift Tin

Discover the story of the Princess Mary Gift Tin in this family-friendly, festive First World War activity.

Operation Science: Supply Drop
Video

Operation Science: Supply Drop

Explore the science behind parachutes and see how well Brussel sprouts can fly in this festive-themed video.

Women of the West Indies Auxiliary Territorial Service, c1944
Video

Virtual Exhibition: West Indian Soldier

Explore the history of Caribbean people in the British Army, and of the British Army in the Caribbean, through this virtual tour of the West Indian Soldier exhibition.

Soldiers of the British West Indies Regiment, France, 1916
Timeline

West Indian Soldier: Interactive Timeline

Explore the history of Caribbean people in the British Army, and of the British Army in the Caribbean, through an interactive timeline.

Indian Army troops travelling upstream on a barge, Mesopotamia, c1916
Timeline

India, Empire and the Army: Interactive Timeline

Explore the history of the British Army in India and the British Empire's Indian armies through this interactive timeline packed with over 200 sources.

Outside an advanced dressing station at Tilloy-les-Mofflaines, Western Front, April 1917
Timeline

Health and Medicine in the Army: Interactive Timeline

Uncover the history of medical developments in the British Army through this interactive timeline packed with nearly 200 sources.