The Home Front in World War One

Much has been written about the First World War and the involvement of the people of Sheffield on the front line. The efforts of those who managed to return home during or following the hostilities and those who made the ultimate sacrifice, dying on foreign soil having fought for King and country, have been documented. However, very little has been written about the experiences of people living in Sheffield in the immediate run up to, during and immediately following the First World War.

The First World War saw many changes to Sheffield that have helped shape what the city is today. It is apt that as we mark the centenary of the outbreak of the war, whilst paying our respects to those who were killed serving our country, that we recognize also the impact that the war had on those at home.

The book provides detailed information to form the first definitive account of the experiences of Sheffield’s citizens during the Great War. In the following chapters: the run up to war and Sheffield’s reaction to its outbreak; the war fever which led to thousands of Sheffield’s men answering their country’s call; the efforts of those who could not fight; Sheffield industry and how Sheffield workers were instrumental in creating the weapons and tools that would help Britain win the war; Sheffield’s role in treating and entertaining wounded soldiers; the role of the University of Sheffield and the effect of the war on education; the role of women in the munitions factories, working on the trams and in producing goods for the troops; the defense of the city; a Zeppelin raid over Sheffield which killed, maimed, destroyed and created fear in the minds of those in the city. For the first time in its history, Sheffield realized that the horrors of war were not confined to overseas battles but that they could be witnessed and experienced in their own neighborhoods.

All of these themes are discussed at length in this book. Above all this book details the human experiences, thoughts, concerns, fears and hopes of Sheffield during one of the most important periods in the city’s history.