From the World War I Centennial News Podcast
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
In December 7th's WW1 Centennial News Podcast, Episode 100, host Theo Mayer spoke with Dr. Glyn Prysor and Peter Francis of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, a British organization dedicated to honoring the war dead of Great Britain and the Commonwealth nations from the First and Second World Wars. The following is a transcript of the interview, edited for clarity:
Theo Mayer: As we've talked through the history of World War I over the last few years, the casualty figures are staggering. Millions dead, sometimes tens of thousands in a single day of a single battle. Some eight million soldiers died in combat or went missing in action. Now, that's just the combat figures. That doesn't include those who died from disease or accident. For many combatants, their dead lay in a foreign country, posing a particular challenge for England and America, who had bodies of water in between their home-front and their war-front. Next week, we'll be speaking with a representative from the American Battle Monuments Commission about how America took on this challenge, but first this week, we're going to take a look at how the United Kingdom has dealt with this incredibly important work. For that, we're joined by Peter Francis of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, and Dr. Glyn Prysor, their Chief Historian. Gentlemen, thank you for joining us.
Dr. Glyn Prysor: It's a pleasure to be here, Theo.
Dr. Prysor pictured here with Prince Harry and Prince Charles at the Gallipoli Campaign Centenary
Theo Mayer: Let me start with you, Dr. Prysor. When was the commission established, and was there a wartime as well as a post-war role?
Dr. Glyn Prysor: Well, yes there was. In fact, what was then called The Imperial War Graves Commission, was formally established by Royal Charter in May 1917; in fact, at one of the darkest moments of the First World War for the British Empire, a time when actually the prospect of victory seemed very far away. But actually, it's roots go back until the very beginning of the conflict, and particularly to a man called Fabian Ware who had gone over to the Western Front in France with a unit of Red Cross personnel. It became clear to him that actually there was no formal organized system for marking and registering the graves of British soldiers who had lost their lives in that early fighting. He put pressure on the military authorities to try and get a system in place, and eventually the military took on his idea, and it became an imperial project. In 1917, the King gave his royal charter to found this organization, which today is known as the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. It started its work during the war itself. At the time, something was just beginning to try to make sure that all of those from across the British Empire who'd served and who'd fought and died in the war would be honored after the end of the fighting.
Read more: Podcast Article - Commonwealth War Graves Commission
(Right to left) President George H. W. Bush; the president's father, Prescott Bush; the president's grandfather, Samuel Bush.
Our memories of the late President George H.W. Bush
By Chris Isleib
Director of Public Affairs, United States World War One Centennial Commission
We, at the U.S. World War I Centennial Commission, are truly saddened by the loss of former President George H. W. Bush. In addition to his many well-known accolades and achievements, he also served as an Honorary Commission Chair for our organization.
His ties to WWI were strong.
President Bush’s father, Prescott Bush, served as a U.S. Army field artillery officer during the war. The war broke out while Prescott Bush was a student college at Yale University. Upon graduation, he accepted an officer's commission, and served as a field artillery captain with the Connecticut National Guard. He also received intelligence training at Verdun, France, and was briefly assigned to a staff of French officers. Alternating between intelligence and artillery, he participated in the Meuse-Argonne offensive.
President Bush’s grandfather, Samuel Bush, also contributed to the war effort, as a senior government official working with wartime weapons contracts. In the spring of 1918, famous banker Bernard Baruch was asked to reorganize the War Industries Board as the U.S. prepared to enter World War I. He placed several prominent businessmen to key posts. Samuel Bush became chief of the Ordnance, Small Arms, and Ammunition Section, with national responsibility for government assistance to and relations with munitions companies.
Read more: Our memories of the late President George H.W. Bush
Field cannon at Belleau Wood — Matthew Haske (center) spent the day touring the battlefield and cemetery as well as Chateau-Thierry.
Six Questions for Matthew Haske
"I let him know how much I value our veterans and fallen heroes"
By Wanxing Niu
Staff Writer
Matthew HaskeWhen 13-year-old Matthew Haske wrote a letter to President Donald Trump about his World War One commemorative trip to France, he never thought that he would be invited to attend the ceremony for the Armistice at Suresnes with his father. He “worked and saved all of his money for two years to make this trip to France” as Trump mentioned in his speech. We asked Matthew about his passion for World War I and his journey to France.
Could you please introduce yourself?
I am a 13-year-old boy who lives in Lynchburg, Virginia. I am in the 8th grade and active in the Boys Scouts and serve as Patrol Leader. I am also active in projects that are service to my community, as an altar server at my Church and play cello in our school orchestra. I play baseball, run cross-country and am an actor in our school plays. I enjoy reading, camping, hiking and traveling.
What makes you be interested in World War One? How long have you been interested in it? What is your most impressive impression about World War I?
I am in interested in WWI because I have always had a great interest for American military history and once I noticed the centennial was approaching, decided to learn more. This current focus started two years ago when I read about the end date being 1918 and knew there would be a reason to go to Paris for the centennial. I read many books, visited military sites, spoke to veterans and watched documentaries and other films to prepare for this trip.
The most impressive impression is the switch from old warfare to modern warfare including machine guns, tanks, airplanes and much more.
The Post 9 honor guard attends the Oct. 12 ceremony unveiling a bronze bust of Maj. Samuel Woodfill at the Indiana Veterans Memorial Cemetery. (Photo by Elisabeth Moore/The Madison Courier)
A new name for American Legion Post 9
By Laura Edwards
via the American Legion
An American Legion post in southeastern Indiana is continuing the nationwide trend of posts highlighting the link between World War I and The American Legion’s formation, by renaming itself after a Hoosier hero of that war.
Madison as a town (1809) is older than Indiana as a state (1816). An early center for both riverboat and railroad traffic, more than 130 blocks of its downtown make up the Madison Historic District – a National Historic Landmark – for a mix of architecture that spans decades. In line with that tradition of early adoption, Jefferson Post 9 received its initial charter on June 20, 1919, and its permanent charter on Nov. 29, 1920.
The “Jefferson” refers to Jefferson County, where Madison is located. In the rural part of the county, Maj. Samuel Woodfill was born in 1883. He enlisted in the Army in 1901, and served in the Philippine-American War and at the Mexican border before the start of World War I. On Oct. 12, 1918, in Cunel, France – during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive – Woodfill’s actions against a German machine-gun nest, which culminated in hand-to-hand fighting, resulted in his receipt of the Medal of Honor, making him the only Hoosier to earn one during the war.
He was presented with his award by Gen. “Black Jack” Pershing himself in France in February 1919. Pershing admired Woodfill greatly – in fact, he called him “the outstanding soldier of World War I.” He was chosen to participate in the 1921 ceremonies at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. A re-commissioned Woodfill spent World War II as an instructor training infantry troops. He died in 1951, and was eventually re-buried at Arlington National Cemetery – 50 feet from Pershing.
Hello Girls documentary honored
PBS "To the Contrary" TV series announces winners of 2018 About Women and Girls film festival
via the PBS To The Contrary web site
The PBS "To the Contrary" television series announced the winners of their 2018 About Women and Girls film festival.
This film festival highlights the rights and struggles of women, girls and diverse communities. Winners in the film festival will have their films broadcast nationally on PBS in the coming year. The TV series "To the Contrary" airs on PBS stations nationwide, on Canadian television and Voice of America internationally.
This year's film festival award winners included:
Hello Girls
Filmmaker Jim Theres tells the story of America's first female soldiers. In 1918 the U.S. Army Signal Corps sent 223 women to France as telephone operators to help winthe Great War. But you've probably never heard of them. Now you will!
Love Wins
Filmmaker Robin Kampf brings us a compelling and enchanting love story about
two elderly ladies, Jan and Emily, who met and fell in love during a time when doing so was strictly taboo.
No Choice
One in four women has had an abortion but no one talks about it. Director Paula Mason Wagner and Public Square Media bring us stories they hope help break the silence and the stigma. What America might be like if Roe v. Wade were not the law of the land: if there were NO CHOICE.
Love, Mommy
Two years after being released from prison, Kilzy Gonzalez is fighting to regain custody of one of her daughters. Tala Hadavi and Yeong-Ung Yang bring us an intimate portrait of a mother trying to overcome personal demons and prove she deserves of a second chance.
Read more: Hello Girls documentary honored by PBS "To the Contrary"
The WWI embarkation piers at Newport News, VA. Some 800,000 American men and women deployed overseas from Newport News.
100 years ago: Allies WWI victory is marred by riots in Newport News
By Mark St. John Erickson
via the Newport News Daily Press web site
When World War I ended in triumph a century ago on Nov. 11, 1918, the nation's second-largest wartime port staged a jubilant downtown parade — with 50 Langley Field planes flying overhead and long columns of uniformed men marching down Washington Avenue.
But just hours after the cheering and flag-waving stopped, thousands of soldiers and sailors returned to ravage the commercial district of Newport News in a spectacular outbreak of vandalism, arson and looting spurred by pent-up anger over price gouging.
So wild was the two-hour-long orgy of revenge that it took a clever decoying tactic and 300 military policemen with fixed bayonets to quell the marauders.
But by then the downtown streets were strewn with broken and battered streetcars as well as burning delivery wagons — not to mention restaurants and storefronts smashed to bits and food, cash registers, cigars and confectionery goods pulled from shelves and hurled into heaps on the sidewalks, the Daily Press reported.
Three days later, about 1,000 soldiers enraged by the paper’s strident defense of the city gathered to heave bricks through its windows.
Only a squad of MPs firing rifles into the air prevented another riot.
“A lot of transient soldiers came through this town during the war — and few of them had very good things to say about Newport News,” says Virginia War Museum educator Chris Garcia, describing the often uneasy relations between the wartime boomtown and the nearly 800,000 men the Hampton Roads Port of Embarkation transported to and from Europe.
“It was a combustible mix waiting for a spark. And that spark came with the end of the war.”
Read more: 100 years ago: Allies WWI victory is marred by riots in Newport News
Local actors perform a tableau vivant ('living picture') to bring to life the "A Soldier's Journey" story of the sculpture for the new National World War I Memorial in Washington, DC, on November 10 during the A First Look program at the Memorial site.
A First Look at the National World War I Memorial, Nov. 8-12, 2018
Special Events help build awareness of and excitement for new Memorial
By Jayne Davis
Special to the United States World War One Centennial Commission web site, via Susan Davis International (SDI)
There are moments in history that cannot and should not be forgotten. The U.S. World War One Centennial Commission stepped up to ensure that America remembered the first World War on the 100th anniversary of its close. At the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, the Great War ended. America’s entry the previous year set the course of American history and ignited passions of allegiance and heroism in the four million Americans who served and the 116, 525 men and women who sacrificed their lives.
For a period of five days this month, November 8 through November 12, citizens could look into the lives and stories of .diverse groups and individual who served and .supported the US military in WWI through nine public events held in Pershing Park, Washington, D.C, the future site of the National World War I Memorial.
The capstone “First Look” event was a dramatic live performance of the 36-character sculpture design bringing to life the story of a soldier’s journey, and the public presentation of the approved Memorial design.
The Commission created the Special Events to help build awareness of and excitement for the Memorial, educate the American people about the importance of WWI and why it matters today, and honor those who served and those who gave it their full measure. The 100th anniversary of the Armistice ending World War I was an historic event celebrated around the world, and the “First Look” events paid long overdue tribute to the significance of the anniversary.
Free to the public, the series of events threw open long-shuttered windows into the contributions of women, African Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, and U.S. states and territories, and saluted the military and veterans. The cascade of events began with a moving tribute to those who served through the traditional symbolism of wreath laying, and ended with a film festival featuring WWI-themed films that bring to life this momentous time in our nation’s history.
Read more: Special events help build awareness of and excitement for new Memorial
Living history reenactors participate in "Battle's Over", a worldwide sunrise tribute to the fallen, marking the 100th Anniversary of the end of World War I, on Sunday, Nov. 11, 2018 in Washington. (Kevin Wolf/AP Images for US World War 1 Centennial Commission)
Photo Gallery 5 of the Centennial Commission's ACE Events Nov. 8-12, 2018
By Chris Isleib
Director of Public Affairs, United States World War One Centennial Commission
To mark the Armistice anniversary, the U.S. World War I Centennial Commission hosted a number of events -- concerts, religious services, education symposia, commemorations, gatherings -- across the National Capital region, over the course of 8-12 November.
The schedule represented an incredible partnership with such remarkable teammates as the Kennedy Center, the National Cathedral, the U.S. Department of Defense, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and many many others. Dubbed the ACE Events -- for Armistice Centennial Events -- they brought together long-term supporters of the Centennial activities over the years, with new members of our World War I community, many of whom have direct and indirect ties to people who served in the war.
Within the ACE Events, were special get-togethers, hosted at the downtown DC Pershing Park, future location of our new National World War I Memorial. We named them A First Look at the National World War I Memorial, because they also included a public introduction to the newest, agency-approved design concept, presented 'in situ' -- right there, at the Pershing Park site, in the First Look Pavilion.
We have collected a few images from those incredible events, for you to enjoy. (Click here to see the previous gallery.)
Centennial Commission Chair Terry Hamby speaks during the A First Look event of the new National World War I Memorial, on Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018 in Washington. The Centennial Commission is creating the World War I Memorial through donation. The Commission plans to dedicate the new memorial on November 11th, 2021. Information can be found at www.WW1CC.org/Memorial (Kevin Wolf/AP Images for US World War 1 Centennial Commission)
Photo Gallery 4 of the Centennial Commission's ACE Events Nov. 8-12, 2018
By Chris Isleib
Director of Public Affairs, United States World War One Centennial Commission
To mark the Armistice anniversary, the U.S. World War I Centennial Commission hosted a number of events -- concerts, religious services, education symposia, commemorations, gatherings -- across the National Capital region, over the course of 8-12 November.
The schedule represented an incredible partnership with such remarkable teammates as the Kennedy Center, the National Cathedral, the U.S. Department of Defense, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and many many others. Dubbed the ACE Events -- for Armistice Centennial Events -- they brought together long-term supporters of the Centennial activities over the years, with new members of our World War I community, many of whom have direct and indirect ties to people who served in the war.
Within the ACE Events, were special get-togethers, hosted at the downtown DC Pershing Park, future location of our new National World War I Memorial. We named them A First Look at the National World War I Memorial, because they also included a public introduction to the newest, agency-approved design concept, presented 'in situ' -- right there, at the Pershing Park site, in the First Look Pavilion.
We have collected a few images from those incredible events, for you to enjoy. (Click here to see the previous gallery.)
On Friday evening, November 9, National WWI Memorial sculptor Sabin Howard (black jacket)rehearsed for a living reenactor recreation of his massive memorial sculpture, utilizing some 38 local actors and volunteers. The recreation would be presented the following night.
Photo Gallery 3 of the Centennial Commission's ACE Events Nov. 8-12, 2018
By Chris Isleib
Director of Public Affairs, United States World War One Centennial Commission
To mark the Armistice anniversary, the U.S. World War I Centennial Commission hosted a number of events -- concerts, religious services, education symposia, commemorations, gatherings -- across the National Capital region, over the course of 8-12 November.
The schedule represented an incredible partnership with such remarkable teammates as the Kennedy Center, the National Cathedral, the U.S. Department of Defense, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and many many others. Dubbed the ACE Events -- for Armistice Centennial Events -- they brought together long-term supporters of the Centennial activities over the years, with new members of our World War I community, many of whom have direct and indirect ties to people who served in the war.
Within the ACE Events, were special get-togethers, hosted at the downtown DC Pershing Park, future location of our new National World War I Memorial. We named them A First Look at the National World War I Memorial, because they also included a public introduction to the newest, agency-approved design concept, presented 'in situ' -- right there, at the Pershing Park site, in the First Look Pavilion.
We have collected a few images from those incredible events, for you to enjoy. (Click here to see the previous gallery.)
A highlight of the A First Look events on November 8 was a concert by WW1CC's partner project, "The 369th Experience", a recreation of the legendary Regimental Jazz Band from the WWI 369th Infantry 'Harlem Hellfighters'. The modern-day 369th Experience was made up of music students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities from across the country.
Photo Gallery 2 of the Centennial Commission's ACE Events Nov 8-12, 2018
By Chris Isleib
Director of Public Affairs, United States World War One Centennial Commission
To mark the Armistice anniversary, the U.S. World War I Centennial Commission hosted a number of events -- concerts, religious services, education symposia, commemorations, gatherings -- across the National Capital region, over the course of 8-12 November.
The schedule represented an incredible partnership with such remarkable teammates as the Kennedy Center, the National Cathedral, the U.S. Department of Defense, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and many many others. Dubbed the ACE Events -- for Armistice Centennial Events -- they brought together long-term supporters of the Centennial activities over the years, with new members of our World War I community, many of whom have direct and indirect ties to people who served in the war.
Within the ACE Events, were special get-togethers, hosted at the downtown DC Pershing Park, future location of our new National World War I Memorial. We named them A First Look at the National World War I Memorial, because they also included a public introduction to the newest, agency-approved design concept, presented 'in situ' -- right there, at the Pershing Park site, in the First Look Pavilion.
We have collected a few images from those incredible events, for you to enjoy. (Click here to see the previous gallery.)
"The Nation Served: Wreath Laying Tribute to the States and Territories" event kicked off the five days of activities that made up A First Look at the National World War I Memorial, held in Pershing Park, Washington, DC, site of the new National WWI Memorial, November 8 through November 12, 2018. Wreaths were laid to honor all the states and territories of the United States of America which contributed men and women to the national war effort in World War I.
Photo Gallery 1 of the Centennial Commission's ACE Events Nov. 8-12, 2018
By Chris Isleib
Director of Public Affairs, United States World War One Centennial Commission
To mark the Armistice anniversary, the U.S. World War I Centennial Commission hosted a number of events -- concerts, religious services, education symposia, commemorations, gatherings -- across the National Capital region, over the course of 8-12 November.
The schedule represented an incredible partnership with such remarkable teammates as the Kennedy Center, the National Cathedral, the U.S. Department of Defense, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and many many others. Dubbed the ACE Events -- for Armistice Centennial Events -- they brought together long-term supporters of the Centennial activities over the years, with new members of our World War I community, many of whom have direct and indirect ties to people who served in the war.
Within the ACE Events, were special get-togethers, hosted at the downtown DC Pershing Park, future location of our new National World War I Memorial. We named them the First Look at the National World War I Memorial, because they also included a public introduction to the newest, agency-approved design concept, presented 'in situ' -- right there, at the Pershing Park site, in the First Look Pavilion.
We have collected a few images from those incredible events, for you to enjoy.
A unique Navy recruiting poster on exhibit at the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Quantico, VA. Several pieces on display for the “A World at War: The Marine Corps and the U.S. Navy in World War I” exhibit are also digitized on the NHHC web site. Visit the online World War I art exhibit here - https://www.history.navy.mil/our-collections/art/exhibits/conflicts-and-operations/wwi.html
New Art Exhibit at the National Museum of the Marine Corps Highlights WWI US Navy and Marine Corps Combat Scenes
By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW/AW) Lindsay A. Preston
Naval History and Heritage Command
To commemorate the centennial of the end of World War I, curators of the Marine Corps and the U.S. Navy art collections collaborated in a joint exhibition, “A World at War: The Marine Corps and the U.S. Navy in World War I” at the National Museum of the Marine Corps (NMMC).
This collection of artwork depicts the experiences of Marines, Sailors, and civilians during “the war to end all wars.”
“I was really glad we were able to do this exhibition together,” said Joan Thomas, the Art Curator for NMMC. “We were lucky to have these collections and display them. This exhibit lets people interact with something in their own history. Within the services we have been using fine art to tell that story for a very long time.”
Collections of artwork from 92 pieces by 42 artists were selected from NMMC, the National Museum of the U.S. Army, and the Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC). The artwork was created by service members, some of America’s leading illustrators, and even some unknown artists. They created these pieces based on their own experiences or from historical perspectives.