War is not only about soldiers. It is about civilians, women and children left at home while the father or brother or son is likely at war.

But of course it is about soldiers too. And often the soldiers were very young. Some were about the age of your older brothers or sisters. A few were your age. Sometimes teenaged boys lied about their age to go to war.

Think about these questions:

•Why do men go to war?

•What would make boys go to war?

German, French, British WW1

Frank W. Buckles

enlisted in the American army at age 16 in 1917. Frank died March 1, 2011 at the age of 110 and was probably the oldest veteran in the world. Rejected by the Marines and the Navy, the Army accepted him and he was told the quickest way to see action was to go to France and be an ambulance driver. He did that and after Armistice Day he escortedGerman prisoners back to Germany.

This is Calvin Graham. He lied about his age and was wounded during battle in the Pacific. His ship had taken 43 hits and limped to port for repairs.

He helped rescue other sailors and was awarded the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart medals.

Then his real age was discovered and he spent 3 months in the Brig, a naval prison. And he was booted out fo the navy with a Dishonourable Discharge for lying about his age.

His age, when he joined up, was 12.The medals were taken back but then given back to him late in his life.

Two British brothers

Were accepted into the British army and were given rifles that were likely from a previous war. These weapons were more suited to hunting squirrels that facing the German Army.

Reginald Earnshaw, age 14

• The headstone on his grave starts: "Reginald Earnshaw. Boy."

• Reginald Earnshaw was 14 years and 152 days old when he died. He had lied about his age to join the merchant navy as a cabin boy shortly after his birthday, claiming to be 15 so he could go to fight at sea.

• Five months later, in July 1941, he was killed with five other seamen when the SS North Devon was attacked off the Norfolk coast by German aircraft.

Jack Cornwall

16 year old Jack was on the ship HMS Chester and during the battle of Jutland in Denmark, June 1916, his ship was hit by German shells and caught fire.

In the chaos, there was one gun that kept firing at the Germans. It was manned by Jack Cornwall. He was wounded in the fight, but still kept firing. Until he died. Afterwards, he was awarded the Victoria Cross medal.

Mike Mansfield lied about his age and joined the army at the age of 14, to fight in WW2. He survived and lived to

age 98.

When his age was discovered, he was chucked out of the army. He grew up to be a long time and powerful

American Senator who initially supported the American war in Vietnam. However, he became against that war

when he discovered the American government was lying to the people about it.

If a loved one was killed in battle, often a telegraph would arrive, carried by a messenger boy, and you would know the news it had before the door opened fully. Sometimes you got a form filled out with date and location scribbled in.

If a loved one was killed in battle, often a telegraph would arrive, carried by a messenger boy, and you would know the news it had before the door opened fully. Sometimes you got a form filled out with date and location scribbled in.

Sometimes you got a personal letter, like this one.

France Nov 22, 1918

Dear Mrs. Horton, It is with real sorrow that I write this letter, for it bring you I am afraid very bad news about your brother Corporal L. Williamson.

He played a very gallant part in the attack which was made against the German position last Monday Nov. 13th. And helped his company commander when he was wounded to a place of safety. But shortly afterwards he was himself hit by a piece of shell and died shortly afterwards I a deeply grieved to say.

I cannot tell you how sorry I am, in fact I can assure you that there is not one who doesn’t feel his death as a personal blow. Everyone thought so much of him, and admired his find sturdy character, and his unfailing cheerfulness. He was an excellent N.C.O. (Non Commissioned Officer), and a fine example to all.

Captain Williams, his company commander wrote from hospital, not knowing that your brother had been killed later in the day. “Tell Corporal Williamson how greatly I appreciated his attentions to me when I was hit, and that I will certainly remember him when I get to England.” I know how deeply grieved he will be to hear the sad news.

I wish I could help to soften the hardness of your sorrow, there is one comfort at least in knowing that he gave his life in a sacred cause fighting for Right and Justice. It is the greatest sacrifice a man can make.

All those who have fallen on the field of honour in this world war, though perhaps the know it not, are following the path of self-sacrifice and of duty which our Lord Himself once trod, they are following in His footsteps a helping Him to pay the price of the world’s salvation.

Scouts all around the world were called on to step up and help out.This poster was designed by Scouting founder, Lord Baden Powell. It is encouraging people to get involved in the war effort, whether that be in the military, or industry , home, or just watching out for the enemy or for spies.

And there were plenty of spies! Including Mata Hari….

This is Mata Hari.Her real name was Margaretha Geertruida Zelle. She was one of the most famous spies in WW 1.

Her beauty made her sought after by high level soldiers and politicians. They did not know she was a spy and they told her about military things that should have remained secret. She may have been a double agent working for the French and for the Germans.

Eventually she was caught by the French and executed by firing squad in 1917 even though the actual evidence against her was flimsy and some may have been made up.

Scouts were unlikely to find a spy but were still very helpful in their own communities.

Scouts would help out in the community, just as we do now. They would help collect paper, cloth , metal and other recyclables that could be made into items which would help the war effort.

Scouts would also help sell War Bonds or Victory Bonds which was extra money to help fight the war.

Scouts also helped in England during bombardment from the Nazis Luftwaffe bombers.

Scouts would be used to look out for enemy aircraft, as messengers between a hospital and families if someone was taken to the hospital after a bombing raid.

Older Scouts , 16 and up, would also be given steel helmets and trained in firefighting! When the cities were under attack, help was needed by anyone and everyone. Scouts were disciplined and brave and also had first aid training so they could be very helpful.

In WW1, John McCrae, a doctor from nearby Guelph, Ontario, who had seen bloody action in the Boer war, ended up in Belgium, near the town of Flanders. He treated the

wounded and the dying.

Alexis Helmer, of Ottawa, was McCrae’s best freind

Doctor & Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, of Guelph

John’s friend, Alexis Helmer was blown to bits by a direct hit from a German shell when they were at Flanders and though he knew death was part of war, it was hard for John McCrae to deal with his friend’s death on top of all the other death he saw around him daily.

John wrote a poem, from the point of view of those who had died there… though there were larks singing in the sky of the battlefield and though life in the form of blood red poppies sprang from the dirt that was turned up by artillery shells. He did not like the way it sounded

though and tossed it away. Another soldier picked it up and later sent it to a British magazine called Punch. They titled it “In Flanders Fields”.

In Flanders fields the poppies blowBetween the crosses, row on row,That mark our place: and in the skyThe larks still bravely singing flyScarce heard amid the guns below. We are the dead: Short days ago,We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,Loved and were loved: and now we lieIn Flanders fields! Take up our quarrel with the foeTo you, from failing hands, we throwThe torch: be yours to hold it highIf ye break faith with us who die,We shall not sleep, though poppies growIn Flanders fields