The National Archives Education Service Medicine on the Western Front Preparation materials for virtual classroom and video conference (KS4) 
 

## Contents



Teacher's notes 
3 
Mystery Document: 
4 
Sorting Activity:  
5 
Document 1: 
6 
Document 2: 
8 
Document 3:  
10 

## Teacher'S Notes

 
Students do not need to do any work in preparation for this virtual classroom. However, if there are students who have visual impairments and may have difficulty viewing the screen during the session, please enlarge copies of the documents for them to refer to.  

## Teacher Preparation

 Print out enough copies of the Mystery Document for the class.   
 Print out the sorting activity (no need to cut out).   
 Print out enough of Documents 1, 2 and 3 for the class (including their transcripts.) The class will be 
split into three groups, each looking at a different document.   

## Useful Links

Further source material relating to Medicine on the Western Front can be found in a two part collection on The National Archives' website: http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/resources/medicine-on-the-western-front-part-one/ http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/resources/medicine-on-the-western-front-part-two/ Letters of servicemen who enlisted from the Great Western Railway can be found in two collections on The National Archives' website: http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/resources/letters-first-world-war-1915 http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/resources/letters-first-world-war-1916-18/ Great War soldier's record is a lesson for use in the classroom. Great War 1914- 1918 website on the themes of outbreak, experience, peacemaking and remembrance. 

## Mystery Document Sorting Activity

1. A soldier's medical sheet 
completed by a doctor.  
2. An interview with a soldier 
recorded thirty years after the war. 
3. A letter home from a 
soldier.  
 
4. A panorama photograph of 
the trenches. 5. A field medical card filled 
in by a stretcher bearer. 
6. An army unit's war diary.  

## Document 1: Mh106/2138 Transcript For Expeditionary Forces Only. Army Form W 3243 A.

 K.L.M.C. Hospital Blackpool State from which Force - France  
Serial No in A. & D. Book - T.F. 1535 
Trp, Batty or Coy. - 
 Regimental No. - Rank: 2nd Lieutenant Name: Standley .T. Age: 22 
 
Total Service: 3 2/12 
 
State Service with Field Force in Months (last period only if more than one) 3 months 
(a) Date of arrival at Hospital as an admission - (b) As a transfer (state where from) 28/12/17 4th London General Date of discharge to duty - Date of discharge by change of disease - Date of discharge as an invalid - Date of death - Date of transfer (state where to) 9/4/18 Comm Depot, Ripon. No of days under treatment - 102 Observations: - To be filled in by the Medical Officer in charge of case. Disease: * Shell Shock Operations: Result of operation: Complications in order of occurrence Loss of sleep Headaches, tremors of hands and tongue. Palpitations and Exaggerated reflexes. Improvement under Electro Massage treatment, + able to walk 2 miles now. No A.F. w2/18 received. [Signatures] Signature of Medical Officer * To be in accordance with the Official Nomenclature One of these Red cards is to be completed for every Expeditionary Force patient received into hospital. Black cards for U.K. troops. 

(6297) Wt. W1151/H4035 750,000 5/17 McA & W Ltd (E1266) Forms/W. 3243 A/1 
 

## Document 2: Wo399/98580 Transcript

 From T. Standley 2Lt. 1/2/18 
 
187451 
7th Battalion Leicester Regiment  
Imperial Hydro St Annes on Sea To the Secretary, War Office 
 
F.3. Dept. 

Sir, I have the honour to forward this my application for a wound gratuity. I was blown up by a shell on October 10th causing me to be brought to England with Shock. I have been in Hospital 4 months and my nerves are still very shaky. I am still suffering with pains in the Head, troubled sleep and Palpitation of the Heart. My first medical board was at 4th London General Hospital about 19/12/17 my second at Kings Lancashire Military Convalescent Hospital 22/1/18 when I was granted a further stay for treatment. I have the honour to be Sir Your obedient servant T. Standley. 2 Lt. 


## Document 3: Wo32/4748 Transcript

 
Forms of Treatment The establishment of an atmosphere of cure is the basis of all successful treatment, the personality of the physician is, therefore, of the greatest importance. While recognising that each individual case of war neurosis must be treated on its merits, the Committee are of opinion that good results will be obtained in the majority by the simplest forms of psychotherapy, i.e. explanation, persuasion and suggestion, aided by such physical methods as baths, electricity and massage though these act chiefly by suggestion. Rest of mind and body is essential in all cases. 

The Committee are of opinion that the production of the hypnoidal state and deep hypnotic sleep, while beneficial as a means of conveying suggestions or eliciting forgotten experiences are useful in selected cases, but in the majority they are unnecessary and may even aggravate the symptoms for a time. They do not recommend psycho-analysis in the Freudian sense. In the state of convalescence, re-education and suitable occupation of an interesting nature are of great importance. If the patient is unfit for further military service, it is considered that every endeavour should be made to obtain for him suitable employment on his return to active life. 

## Did You Know?

 
The National Archives Education Service also offers free taught sessions onsite in Kew and online. 

You can book a free **Virtual Classroom** session, an online lesson where students can use individual computers to interact with our Education Officers and explore original documents without needing to travel to The National Archives. You will need computers or tablets for your students to work on either individually or in pairs. 

 
A free **Video Conference** session allows our Education Officers to teach through your projector, leading discussions and guiding students through activities based around original documents. All you need is a computer with a projector, webcam and microphone to set up this web-chat with us.  
 
Our **Onsite Workshops** are available for free here at The National Archives and allow students to experience genuine original documents reflecting over 1000 years of history. From Elizabeth I's signature to the telegrams of the sinking Titanic, students love the wow-factor of being able to see real history on the desk in front of them. 

Find out more: 
 
🌏 www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/education  
 
f www.facebook.com/TheNationalArchivesEducationService 
 
✉ education@nationalarchives.gov.uk