Event    From 4/8/1914  To 11/11/1918

World War 1

Categories: Armed Forces, Tragedy

We'd always assumed that this war was known as the Great War until WW2 came along at which point it was renamed as World War One or the First World War. But the term was first used in print in 1920 as the title of a book, 'The First World War' by Charles à Court Repington. He was using it to emphasize the global nature of the war rather than its sequential nature.

Different memorials give different years for the end of WW1. The Armistice came into force at 11am on 11 November 1918 and fighting ceased on the western front but hostilities continued elsewhere. The Treaty of Versailles, signed by Germany and some of the allied powers following the Paris Peace Conference, was not until 28 June 1919.

The war did not officially end in the UK until 31 August 1921, as explained at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission: "When the Termination of the Present War (Definition) Act 1918 was passed by Parliament, it gave discretion to His Majesty in Council to declare the date of the termination of the war. Consequently, war with each of the Central Powers ended close to the date of the ratification of the various peace treaties. Although a treaty with Turkey had yet to be ratified, it was decided that 31 August 1921 ‘should be treated as the date of the termination of the present War’. As the Imperial War Graves Commission (IWGC) was charged with responsibility for the graves of service personnel who died between the outbreak and end of the War, this meant that those casualties of the First World War who died after 31 August 1921 fell outside the remit of the Commission."

Note - it seems to be just a lucky poetic chance that the Armistice coincides with "the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month". Kaiser Wilhelm abdicated on November 9th, presumably not thinking "just in time for a poetically-timed Armistice".

For some signs of WW1 on buildings in London see Spitalfields Life.

2024: We've just come across the London World War 1 Memorial - looks like it could be a great resource.

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This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
World War 1

Commemorated ati

24th London Division - memorial

These 3 figures are said to be modelled on the soldier poets: Robert Graves, ...

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8th London Howitzers

The way this monument meets the sloping ground has been well thought out: a s...

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Abney Park - CWGC war memorial

The screen wall at the back, south, of the memorial carries a number of bronz...

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African and Caribbean Armed Forces

Unveiled on Windrush Day. A very simple design, we think the horizontal obeli...

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Air raid

Very small plaque on the doorframe.

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Other Subjects

A. W. K. Brett

A. W. K. Brett

Co-partner or employee of the South Suburban Gas Company. Served but did not die in WW1.

Person, Armed Forces

War served, WW1
1 memorial
H. Gilbert

H. Gilbert

Co-partner or employee of the South Suburban Gas Company. Served but did not die in WW1.

Person, Armed Forces

War served, WW1
1 memorial
S. W. Morris

S. W. Morris

J. Lyons & Co. Ltd. staff member who died in WW2.

Person, Armed Forces

War dead, WW2
1 memorial
S. F. J. Wood

S. F. J. Wood

Resident of Hendon who served and died in WW2.

Person, Armed Forces

War dead, WW2
1 memorial
National Fire Service / NFS

National Fire Service / NFS

Nationwide fire service created during WW2 from the amalgamation of the wartime Auxiliary Fire Service and the many local authority fire brigades.  After the war it was split into brigades again un...

Group, Armed Forces

1 memorial

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Royal Hospital Chelsea

Royal Hospital Chelsea

A retirement and nursing home for British soldiers who are unfit for further duty due to injury or old age. They are popularly known as ‘Chelsea Pensioners’. Founded by King Charles II in 1682 and...

Building, Armed Forces, Gardens / Agriculture, Social Welfare

6 memorials
Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II

Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II

Queen Elizabeth II.  A London Inheritance's post 2nd June 1953 – Coronation Day In London has some great photos.

Event, Royalty, Tourism / Traditions

10 memorials
Rugby Football Union

Rugby Football Union

Created when delegates from 22 clubs met at the Pall Mall Restaurant and rules were drawn up based on those of Rugby School.

Group, Sport / Games

1 memorial
Charles Rossi

Charles Rossi

Sculptor. Born Nottingham, son of an Italian immigrant. Apprenticed to Locatelli, they arrived in London in 1775 and carved the medallions at the Middlesex Sessions House. Achieved a good reputatio...

Person, Sculpture, Italy

2 memorials
Vinot Cars

Vinot Cars

NW1, Redhill Street

Vinot Cars Limited Laid by Henry Ramoisy, Esq., C. Harman Wigan, Gordon Usmar - Directors July 1st 1912. P.E. Pil?itch - Architect W....

1 subject commemorated, 3 creators