1. Soldiers’ training and uniform
Era of the Great War
Soldiers’ training and uniform

2. Soldiers’ training and uniform
In today’s class I am learning to:
Describe the training received by British soldiers before going to war
Describe the basic uniform given to British soldiers during the war

3. Soldiers’ training and uniform
After the start of World War One, Britain needed more soldiers in its army. However first these men had to be trained and given equipment.

4. Soldiers’ training and uniform
Before 1916, men volunteered to become soldiers.
They would visit a local recruitment office to do so, and had to be at least 18 years old (although some younger boys lied about their ages and still got to join).

5. Soldiers’ training and uniform
After joining the military men received different types of training, depending on whether they were part of the army, navy or air force.
Army recruits were trained for around three months before being sent to fight.

6. Soldiers’ training and uniform
Soldiers were sent to training camps.
At first the training aimed to improve men’s fitness, and ensure they were disciplined enough to follow orders. Reveille (bugle) at 530am started their day to help achieve all of this.

7. Soldiers’ training and uniform
Training then progressed to prepare the soldiers for their experience on the battlefield.
They had to learn basic skills such as marching, shooting, digging trenches and also night manoeuvres too.

8. Soldiers’ training and uniform
Many soldiers were also expected to learn a specific skill too.
This include military actions such as the work involved in operating a machine gun or how be a sniper. Others learned to become signallers or cooks.

9. Soldiers’ training and uniform
Discipline was harsh during training, to prepare soldiers for the frontline.
Men who failed to follow orders could have privileges withdrawn, be given extra duties or even being locked up.

10. Soldiers’ training and uniform
Before going to the front, soldiers were also given a uniform.
Clothing included boots (which some soldiers softened with urine), helmet, a ground sheet cape, puttees (knee length bandages) and khaki trousers & jacket.

11. Soldiers’ training and uniform
Soldiers also received a gas mask to try and protect them from gas attacks.
Weapons given to soldiers included a rifle, bullets, grenades and bayonet. Some soldiers had revolvers too.

12. Soldiers’ training and uniform
Other equipment given to soldiers could include knife, fork, shaving kit, water bottle, soap and towel. This was kept in webbing kit.
Sometimes soldiers also received a shovel to dig trenches, or even use as a weapon.