LIFE IN THE TRENCHES
Preserved trenches in Newfoundland
Park, Beaumont Hamel, The Somme,
France. Taken by R. Wright, 2011.
Life in most trenches along the Western Front during the First World War was grim, filthy and
extremely stressful. After reading through the extract from this website
http://www.firstworldwar.com/features/trenchlife.htm complete the following questions
QUESTIONS
1. What were the many ways in which soldiers could be killed whilst in their trenches?
2. Describe some of the pests that could trouble soldiers in the trenches. What sort of effects would
these animals have on soldiers’ morale?
3. What is the “trench cycle”? Do you believe that the trench cycle would have motivated soldiers to
keep on fighting, or do you believe it would entice them to want to return home more than ever?
Explain your answer in two to three sentences.
4. Read carefully through the section on “Daily Boredom”. Describe the possible effects of this on
soldiers’ morale. How could this contribute to soldiers being wounded or killed?
5. Where was “No mans Land” and what tasks might soldiers have had to perform there?
Read through document 10.2 Extracts from Australians at War. This includes letters from soldiers’
experiences on the Western Front including Harry Well, Lt John Raws and Private William O’Brien.
1. What are some of the concerns common to all of these experiences?
2. Who is “Fritz” in these extracts and why was this name used? Try and come up with two to three
reasons why.
TASK – Letter Home
The men’s fears of life or death in the trenches along the Western Front from 1916 – 1918 would
have been unbearable. Some men went mad from it. Write a letter home as though you are
experiencing life in the trenches. Be sure to include the following aspects:
- Metaphor – A metaphor is a comparison that asks you to imagine one thing as being
another. Unlike a simile, a metaphor does not use the words like, as or than. Eg. It was
raining cats and dogs. The mud around our feet is a soup.
- Simile – A simile is when you picture one thing as being similar to another, using the words
like, as or than. Eg. The mud was as sticky as treacle. She swims like a fish. He’s as cunning
as a fox. It went faster than a speeding bullet.
- A range of adjectives
Your letter should be between 400 – 600 words in length.