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

Jack Harvey, VC

Jack Harvey, VC

In WW1 Harvey was in the 1/22nd (County of London) Battalion, The London Regiment (The Queen's). On 2 September 1918 north of Peronne, France, when the advance of his company was held up by machine...

Person, Armed Forces

War served, WW1
1 memorial
Charles Spackman, VC

Charles Spackman, VC

Soldier. Born Charles Edward Spackman. He was a sergeant in the 1st Battalion, Border Regiment. On the 20th Novenber 1917 at Marcoing in France, his company came under heavy gunfire. He fought his ...

Person, Armed Forces, France

War served, WW1
1 memorial
H. W. Noble

H. W. Noble

J. Lyons & Co. Ltd. staff member who died in WW1.

Person, Armed Forces

War dead, WW1
1 memorial
R. B. Fitchett

R. B. Fitchett

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

Previously viewed

The Chase Royal Wedding street party

The Chase Royal Wedding street party

Sadly we can't find a picture on the web.  Were you there?  Got any snaps?

Event, Community / Clubs, Royalty

1 memorial
County Hall - London government

County Hall - London government

SE1, Belvedere Road, County Hall

Designed as offices for London government, the building was opened in 1922 by King George V. We think it very likely that these plaques,...

2 subjects commemorated, 1 creator
Knightingale family

Knightingale family

The wife and children (including one unmarried daughter) were alive to commemorate the husband in 1882. 

Group, Friend / family

1 memorial
Israel Zangwill

Israel Zangwill

Writer and philanthropist. Born in Ebenezer Square, Whitechapel. He became deeply involved with the Zionist cause, and travelled widely; speaking and writing on its behalf. His works earned him the...

Person, Literature, Philanthropy

1 memorial
Victoria Station

Victoria Station

The London Brighton and South Coast Railway opened their side of the station in 1860. Another part of the station, The London Chatham and Dover Railway (later South East and Chatham Railway, or SEC...

Place, Transport

1 memorial