Joining Up

1
Press ESC at any time to stop the presentation
Joining Up
Stimulus Material
Let it be recorded to our eternal shame that
young men were playing cricket and football while
the nations call for soldiers continued
unfulfilled.
From an article that appeared within the Western
Mail
Des Quinn and Martin Williams
2
When war was declared in August 1914 many men,
young and old, went to their local Recruitment
Office to join up. Why did they do this? What
made them want to go to war?
Photographs courtesy of M. Williams
3
Discuss whether this enlistment poster would make
you consider joining up.
Translation
4
Come with me, Boys!
When the call came to move forward, there was a
smile on every face.
Enlist today.
5
Source A
At the request of Mr. Gibbon the audience took
off their hats to the gallant Belgians and
cheered them to the echo. When they considered
the atrocities of the Germans Mr. Gibbon went on
to say it made his blood boilIf he was 30 years
younger he would not be there that night. He was
aware he was addressing men who were heroes.
Every man who worked underground was a hero. He
asked them to consider what the Germans had done
with some of their comrades in BelgiumShut them
down the pit. He asked everyone who was capable
to join the army so as to crush the German
Emperor. The Glamorgan Gazette, September, 1914.
6
Source A
At the request of Mr. Gibbon the audience took
off their hats to the gallant Belgians and
cheered them to the echo. When they considered
the atrocities of the Germans Mr. Gibbon went on
to say it made his blood boilIf he was 30 years
younger he would not be there that night. He was
aware he was addressing men who were heroes.
Every man who worked underground was a hero. He
asked them to consider what the Germans had done
with some of their comrades in BelgiumShut them
down the pit. He asked everyone who was capable
to join the army so as to crush the German
Emperor. The Glamorgan Gazette, September, 1914.

• Who is Mr. Gibbons appealing to?
• How does he encourage the men to enlist at this
  meeting?
• Why should we use this source of evidence with
  caution?

7
Source B
Players should enlist and spectators drill. I
would like to draw attention to the indifference
displayed by ordinary men in this country to the
issue at stake. Our existence is in the balance.
There is a football match, Tottenham Hotspur v
Cardiff City. I suggest to the football
authorities that the game should be cancelled,
that the directors of these football clubs hand
over the grounds as training fields for the young
recruits. A letter that was published in The
Western Mail, August, 1914.
8
Source B
Players should enlist and spectators drill I
would like to draw attention to the indifference
displayed by ordinary men in this country to the
issue at stake. Our existence is in the balance.
There is a football match, Tottenham Hotspur v
Cardiff City. I suggest to the football
authorities that the game should be cancelled,
that the directors of these football clubs hand
over the grounds as training fields for the young
recruits. A letter that was published in The
Western Mail, August, 1914.

• What kind of person do you think wrote this
  letter? How much importance does he place upon
  the recruitment of young men?
• Do you agree with the comments made in the
  source?Give clear reasons for your answer.

9
Source C
a number of homes in Wales would have been
happierif during the past six months, the line
of British heroes had been just a little bit
thicker. (Applause). Nevertheless, although the
odds had been so much as ten to one, there had
been no complaining, no harsh or angry words
uttered by our soldiers in the firing line, but
they sometimes did say...We wonder sometimes
what the boys at home are thinking about! If only
they knew, we feel sure they would come. Part
of a speech by Sir Clement Killock Cooke, M.P. at
a public meeting in Pontycymmer.
10
Source C - continued
Men of Wales! Are you going to do it? Are you
coming forward to fight side by side with our
brothers? Gallant little Wales has been at the
foremost to fight the battle of freedom in the
past. The names of Welshmen were written large
upon the scroll of honour, and opportunity was
now presenting itself to the men of Wales to
follow in their footsteps. What would the answer
be? Yes! We are coming as our fathers did
before. Part of a speech by Sir Clement Killock
Cooke, M.P. at a public meeting in Pontycymmer.
11
Source C
a number of homes in Wales would have been
happierif during the past six months, the line
of British heroes had been just a little bit
thicker. (Applause). Nevertheless, although the
odds had been so much as ten to one, there had
been no complaining, no harsh or angry words
uttered by our soldiers in the firing line, but
they sometimes did say...We wonder sometimes
what the boys at home are thinking about! If only
they knew, we feel sure they would come. Men
of Wales! Are you going to do it? Are you coming
forward to fight side by side with our brothers?
Gallant little Wales has been at the foremost to
fight the battle of freedom in the past. The
names of Welshmen were written large upon the
scroll of honour, and opportunity was now
presenting itself to the men of Wales to follow
in their footsteps. What would the answer be?
Yes! We are coming as our fathers did
before. Part of a speech by Sir Clement Killock
Cooke, M.P. at a public meeting in Pontycymmer.

• Can you identify the following in Sir Clements
  speech
• Patriotism, Guilt, Criticism, Pride

12
Source D
Mr. A. Beveridge, Stockport saidHe was proud
that Wales was second to none in the call to
armsWe intend to smash the Germansthis could be
done if we have more men. There are one or two
men in the audience who had come from the
trenches. Why had they not been compelled to
remain so long in the trenches at a stretch?
Because they had no one to relieve themmore men
meant less suffering75 of Kitcheners New Army
were married. He felt ashamed of the single men.
They thought too much of frivolity (not taking
the war seriously) and too little of
responsibilityno man had the right to shield
himself at the back of another. Taken from a
report in the Glamorgan Gazette on a recruiting
meeting held at Nantyfyllon, Maesteg, Feb. 1915.
13
Source D - continued
Sergeant Longville of the 10th Welsh (Rhondda
Pals) said one would never imagine there was a
war in evidence today by the cool manner in which
young men were sitting in the audience smoking
cigarettes. Did they not realise that there was a
call for them. Taken from a report in the
Glamorgan Gazette on a recruiting meeting held at
Nantyfyllon, Maesteg, Feb. 1915.
14
Source D
Mr. A. Beveridge, Stockport saidHe was proud
that Wales was second to none in the call to
armsWe intend to smash the Germansthis could be
done if we have more men. There are one or two
men in the audience who had come from the
trenches. Why had they not been compelled to
remain so long in the trenches at a stretch?
Because they had no one to relieve themmore men
meant less suffering75 of Kitcheners New Army
were married. He felt ashamed of the single men.
They thought too much of frivolity (not taking
the war seriously) and too little of
responsibilityno man had the right to shield
himself at the back of another. Sergeant
Longville of the 10th Welsh (Rhondda Pals) said
one would never imagine there was a war in
evidence today by the cool manner in which young
men were sitting in the audience smoking
cigarettes. Did they not realise that there was a
call for them. Taken from a report in the
Glamorgan Gazette on a recruiting meeting held at
Nantyfyllon, Maesteg, Feb. 1915.

• How does the tone of this speech differ from that
  of Source C?
• Why do you think that the tone has changed?

15
Who was Mr. David Lloyd George and what jobs did
he hold during the war?www.spartacus.schoolnet.co
.uk/PRgeorge.htm
16
What makes this printed letter so persuasive and
effective(such good propaganda)?
17
How do the organisers of this event try to
encourage as many people to attend as
possible? CluesLook at the language usedLook
at the list of speakersWhat other
entertainments are offered? Can you read
the small print right at the bottom of the poster?
18
Reproduced with the kind permission ofThe
Western Mail and Echo Ltd.
The next slide displays the caption that
accompanied this cartoon.
19
Two of the Right Sort Ardent rivals for the hand
of a fair lady, they engage in fisticuffs until
their country calls them to more serious
business. Following the example set by Mr. Frank
Gaskill, the Unionist candidate for South
Glamorgan, the Hon. Roland Philipps, the Liberal
candidate has joined our military forces.
20
Reproduced with the kind permission ofThe
Western Mail and Echo Ltd.
The next slide displays part of a speech that
accompanied this cartoon.
21
Remember Your Past. Men of Wales, of whom I see
so many thousands in this gathering. Men of
Wales, let me say one last word to you Remember
your past. (Applause). Think of the villages and
the mountains which in the old days were the
shelter and the recruiting ground of your
forefathers in the struggles which adorn and
glorify your annals. Never was a stronger and a
more compelling appeal been made to all that you
as a nation honour and hold dear. Be worthy of
those who went before you (Hear, hear and
Clywch, clywch) and leave to your children
the richest of all inheritance the memory of
fathers who in a great cause put self-sacrifice
before ease and honour above life itself. (Loud
cheers). Mr. Asquith at Cardiff
22
The Glamorgan Gazette, Friday, Dec. 4th, 1914
Highlight the positive words used within this
article from The Glamorgan Gazette, 1914.
23
The Glamorgan Gazette, Friday, Dec. 4th, 1914
DiscussHow effective do you think this article
was in encouraging young men to enlist (join up)?
24
By 27th August 1914, Glamorgan had provided 2,500
recruits for Kitcheners New Army with recruiting
still very brisk.
Which area had the highest enrolment figures? Do
you find this surprising?Explain your answer
carefully. How many men from Glamorgan
enrolled in total?
25
Methods used to Encourage men in Wales to join up
END