TODAY in 1915, Walter is certain that this year will bring victory for the Allied Forces. He just hopes it doesn’t happen before he gets a chance to put his long months of training into action.
Reports are coming in from his sister Rose, who is nursing aboard a French ambulance train, about the constant rain making trench life nearly impossible, about soldiers who have gone for eleven weeks without a wash and about a strange condition affecting the men’s feet.
Back home, Britain has suffered its first Zeppelin attack, the Government is threatening conscription, and Ma has found an advert for ‘meat lozenges’ to send out to hungry Servicemen.
A story of war
This is not a summary from history book, but from a Facebook post from 1915.
The project tells the story of Walter Carter, from Battersea, who from 1912 is a member of the Territorial Force, 1/23rd (County of London) Battalion The London Regiment.
He goes to war in March 1915 where he will see action in Festubert, Loos, the Somme and Cambrai.
The story covers the entire War and provides not only his experiences but those of his family and girlfriend back in England. Whilst it is fictitious, it is entirely based on fact and is continuously checked by military historians for accuracy and authenticity.
The project’s aim is to get young people more engaged with WW1 through Social Media.
As well as Walter’s Facebook page there is also one for his girlfriend Lily, his sister Rose and other friends and family whose posts and comments paint a broad picture of life at home and at war, referencing issues that are still important today such as the role of the Reserves, the effect of the War on families, the changing role of women and the treatment of the physically- and mentally-injured.
Follow the story
Walter has nearly completed his training and will soon be heading out to join the fighting. Keep track of his progress at: