## The National Archives Education Service All Pals Together: A First World War Soldier'S Story

Preparation materials for videoconference/virtual classroom (KS3)

## Contents

| Teacher's notes	                                                                                                 | 3                    |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------|
| Document 1: WO 363/ F 22 (pg340)                                                                | 6                    |
| Short Service Attestation Form for Private Henry Fairhurst of the 14th Yorkshire and Lancashire |                      |
| Battalion (Barnsley Pals)                                                                       |                      |
| Transcript 1                                                                                    | 7                    |
| Document 2: WO 363/ F22 (pg 341)                                                                | 10                   |
| Descriptive Report on Enlistment                                                                |                      |
| Transcript 2                                                                                    | 11                   |
| Document 3: WO 363/ F22 (pg 342)                                                                | 14                   |
| Protection Certificate and Certificate of Identity                                              |                      |
| Transcript 3                                                                                    | 15                   |
| Document 4: WO 363/ F22 (pg 343)                                                                | 17                   |
| Casualty Form-Active Service, part 1                                                            |                      |
| Transcript 4                                                                                    | 18                   |
| Document 5:                                                                                     | WO 363/ F22 (pg 344) |
| Casualty Form-Active Service, part 2                                                            |                      |
| Transcript 5                                                                                    | 21                   |

## Teacher'S Notes

This pack of documents and transcripts will allow you to prepare your students for the videoconference / virtual classroom session.  It is vital that all students complete the preparatory work beforehand, so that they are fully prepared for the session.

## Background Information

Based on the original War Office files of Private Henry Fairhurst, this actor led workshop will give students an opportunity to examine a soldier's life in the trenches during the Great War.

## Teacher Preparation

The content of the workshop will consist entirely of Henry talking about his experiences in the trenches, prompted and led by students' questions. Students should be seen clearly on screen and have good access to a microphone. During the videoconference workshop, students will be encouraged to ask Henry questions about any aspect of his life during active service. They will be able to draw on Henry's experiences and examine whether their conclusions about life in the trenches support or contradict those of Henry. To prepare the students for the session students should read the attached WO 363/ F 22 documents from Henry's original file. These will give the students the opportunity to discover a little bit about Henry. These sources should be studied prior to using documents from the Education website's online exhibition on the Great War.

The link below will take you to the Education website page on the Great War: nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/greatwar/
Different groups of students should study a particular case or theme and research it in order to create their questions.  Here are some suggestions to help get students started:

## Gallery 1: The Great War: Conflict And Controversy Case Study 1: Changing Views On The Great War

Source 1: *Mother's Poem, 1918* nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/greatwar/g1/cs1/g1cs1s1.htm

- Ask Henry what his family think about him joining up. What does his mother think? Does he miss his family and home? - What job did he do before he joined up?

## Teacher'S Notes Continued Gallery 2: Why Did Britain Go To War In 1914? Case Study 3: Did Public Opinion Drag Britain Into War?

Source 2: Diary of a factory worker nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/greatwar/g2/cs3/g2cs3s2.htm Source 5: *Recruitment Poster* nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/greatwar/g2/cs3/g2cs3s5a.htm

- Question Henry on his reasons for joining up. - What was the recruitment process like? - Does he think that joining up was the right thing to do? - How have his experiences in the trenches influenced his opinion of the war?

## Gallery 3: The Trench Experience Case Study 1: Weapons And Warfare

Source 9: *British Soldier in full kit* nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/greatwar/g3/cs1/g3cs1s9.htm

- Ask Henry to describe the different parts of his kit and explain what each item is used for.
- How does it feel to carry all this kit? - How does he keep it clean and in good working order? - What does he think about weapons and warfare? 

## Case Study 2: The Daily Grind

Source 1: *Film of soldiers digging trenches* nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/greatwar/g3/cs4/g3cs4s1.htm

- What duties does Henry have to carry out in the trenches each day? - What is a "typical" day like?
- What does he do if he gets time off?

## Teacher'S Notes Continued

Source 4: *Postcard sent home* nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/greatwar/g3/cs4/g3cs4s4a.htm

- Does Henry write letters home to his family?  What does he write about?
Source 7: *Mealtime in the trenches* nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/greatwar/g3/cs4/g3cs4s7a.htm

- Ask Henry about what he is given to eat and drink every day. How did this compare to what he usually ate and drank back at home? - Does he get any extra treats from home? Are there ways he can earn extra rations?

## Gallery 4: Lions Led By Donkeys Case Study 3: The Somme, 1916

Source 7: British film, 'The Battle of the Somme' nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/greatwar/g4/cs3/g4cs3s7.htm

- Ask Henry about his experiences of going over the top. How does he prepare for it? What emotions does he have as he goes over? - What are his relationships like with his battalion friends at this time? 
- What is his opinion of the generals? Is he an optimist or a pessimist?

## Additional Preparation (Optional)

Organise the students into their groups to write a letter to Henry explaining their views on the war based on their research. They can also write down the questions they wish to ask him. During the videoconference, Henry can refer to these letters and questions. He can address his comments to the group concerned, also inviting additional questions from that group. If you would like to do this please send your letters to the Education Service, National Archives, Ruskin Avenue, Kew, Surrey, TW9 4DU at least two weeks before your workshop and provide us with a covering sheet with your name, school, and the date and time of your workshop.

Please retain a copy of your letters and questions for students to refer to during the session.

Short Service Attestation Form for Private Henry Fairhurst of the 14th Yorkshire and Lancashire Battalion (Barnsley Pals) 14th S. Bn. (2nd Barnsley) 
Short Service Attestation Form for Private Henry Fairhurst of the 14th Yorkshire and Lancashire Battalion (Barnsley Pals)14th S. Bn. (2nd Barnsley).

York and Lancaster Regiment

## Short Service

(For the Duration of the War)

## Attestation Of

Barnsley No. 723 	
Name Fairhurst Henry 	
Corps Y&L

## Questions To Be Put To The Recruit Before Enlistment

1. What is your Name? 	


1. Henry Fairhurst
2. What is your full Address? 	


2. 6 Sunderland Terrace, Barnsley
3. Are you a British Subject? 	


3. Yes
4. What is your Age? 	


4. 29 years 20 days
5. What is your Trade or Calling? 	 	
	
	
5. Miner
6. Are you Married? 		


6. No
7. Have you ever served in any branch of his 	
	
7. No

Majesty's forces, if so*, which?
8. Are you willing to be vaccinated, or revaccinated? 	 8. Yes
9. Are you willing to be enlisted for General Service 	
9. Yes
10. Did you receive a Notice, and do you		
	
10. No

 understand its meaning and who gave it to you?
11. Are you willing to serve upon the following 		
11. Yes conditions provided his Majesty should so long require your services?

For the duration of the war, at the end of which you will be discharged with all convenient speed. If employed with Hospitals, depots of Mounted Units, and as Clerks etc., you may be retained after the termination of hostilities until your services can be spared, but such retention shall in no case exceed six months. 

I, Henry Fairhurst, do solemnly declare that the above answers to the above questions are true, and that I am willing to fulfil the engagements made.

Henry Fairhurst      Signature of Recruit Albert Turner         Signature of Witness

## Oath To Be Taken By Recruit On Attestation

	
I, Henry Fairhurst, swear by Almighty God, that I will be faithful and bear true Allegiance 
to His Majesty King George the Fifth, His Heirs and Successors, and that I will, as in duty bound, honestly and faithfully defend His Majesty, His Heirs and Successors, in Person, Crown and dignity against all enemies and will observe and obey all orders of His Majesty, His Heirs and Successors, and of the Generals and Officers set over me. So help me God.

## Certificate Of Magistrate Or Attesting Officer

	
The Recruit above named was cautioned by me that if he made false answer to any of the above questions he be liable to be punished as provided in the Army Act. 

The above questions were then read to the Recruit in my presence. 

	
I have taken care that he understands each question, and that his answer to each 
question has been duly entered as replied to, and the said Recruit has made and signed the declaration and taken the oath before me at Barnsley on this 1st day of March  1915


Signature of the Justice         M Lancaster JP

## Transcript 1: Continued Certificate Of Approving Officer

	
I certify that this Attestation of the above-named Recruit is correct, and properly filled up, and that the required forms appear to have been complied with. I accordingly approve and appoint him to the 14 S. Bn. (2nd Barnsley) Yorks and Lancaster Regt. If enlisted by special authority, Army Form B. 203 (or other authority for the enlistment) will be attached to the original attestation Date 5 March 1915

Place Barnsley                                     W. E. RALEY, Acting Lt. Colonel 	 - Approving Officer 


Commanding 14th S. Bn. (2nd Barnsley)



York and Lancaster Regt.
	
	
1. The signature of the Approving Officer is to be affixed in the presence of the Recruit.

	
	
2. Here insert the "Corps" for which the Recruit has been enlisted.
*If so, the Recruit is to be asked the particulars of his former service, and to produce, if possible, his Certificate of Discharge and Certificate of Character, which should be returned to him conspicuously endorsed in red ink, as follows, viz. (Name)__ re-enlisted in the (Regiment) __ on the (Date) __

## Transcript 2: Religion C Of E Descriptive Report On Enlistment

(To correspond with Entries on the Medical History Sheet.)

Applicable to all ranks Name  Henry Fairhurst Apparent age  29 years 20 days 	 Height 5 feet 7 ¾ inches Chest measurement 	
  Girth when fully expanded 35 ½ inches

 Range of expansion	
3 inches Distinctive marks 	   Nil

## Information Supplied By Recruit

Name and address of next of kin  Joseph Fairhurst, 6 Sunderland Terrace, Barnsley		
Relationship  
Father 

## Particulars As To Marriage

(a) Christian and Surname of Woman to whom married, and whether spinster or widow. (b) Place and date of marriage (c) present address (d) Initials of Officer verifying entry.

(a) 	


(b)	
	
 	
	
(c)	
	
 	
	
(d)

## Particulars As To Children

Christian Name 	


Date and Place of Birth

## Transcript 2: Continued Statement Of The Services

|                                                                                                        |               |                  |                                 | Corps in which served      Regt.  	         Promotions, reductions,   	             | Army Rank   		         | Date
   |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------|------------------|---------------------------------|-------------|---------|---|
|                                                                                                        |               |                  | or depot          casualties &c |             |         |   |
| Service not allowed to reckon for fixing the date of Pension                                           |               |                  |                                 |             |         |   |
| Service in reserve not allowed to reckon towards G. C. Pay Signature of Officers verifying correctness |               |                  |                                 |             |         |   |
| of entries                                                                                             |               |                  |                                 |             |         |   |
| Regt or                                                                                                |               |                  |                                 |             |         |   |
| depot                                                                                                  |               |                  |                                 |             |         |   |
| Army                                                                                                   |               |                  |                                 |             |         |   |
| rank                                                                                                   |               |                  |                                 |             |         |   |
| Corps in                                                                                               |               |                  |                                 |             |         |   |
| which                                                                                                  |               |                  |                                 |             |         |   |
| served                                                                                                 |               |                  |                                 |             |         |   |
| Promotions,                                                                                            |               |                  |                                 |             |         |   |
| reductions,                                                                                            |               |                  |                                 |             |         |   |
| Casualties &c                                                                                          |               |                  |                                 |             |         |   |
| Signature                                                                                              |               |                  |                                 |             |         |   |
| of officers                                                                                            |               |                  |                                 |             |         |   |
| verifying                                                                                              |               |                  |                                 |             |         |   |
| correctness                                                                                            |               |                  |                                 |             |         |   |
| of entries                                                                                             |               |                  |                                 |             |         |   |
| Dates                                                                                                  | Service not   |                  |                                 |             |         |   |
| allowed                                                                                                |               |                  |                                 |             |         |   |
| to reckon                                                                                              |               |                  |                                 |             |         |   |
| for fixing                                                                                             |               |                  |                                 |             |         |   |
| the date of                                                                                            |               |                  |                                 |             |         |   |
| pension                                                                                                |               |                  |                                 |             |         |   |
| Service in                                                                                             |               |                  |                                 |             |         |   |
| reserve not                                                                                            |               |                  |                                 |             |         |   |
| allowed                                                                                                |               |                  |                                 |             |         |   |
| to reckon                                                                                              |               |                  |                                 |             |         |   |
| towards G.C.                                                                                           |               |                  |                                 |             |         |   |
| pay                                                                                                    |               |                  |                                 |             |         |   |
| 14th                                                                                                   | Attested      | Private 1/3/1915 | J N Thomas                      |             |         |   |
| Capt                                                                                                   |               |                  |                                 |             |         |   |
| 14th                                                                                                   | Mediterranean | Pte              | 28.12.1915                      | J N Thomas  |         |   |
| Capt                                                                                                   |               |                  |                                 |             |         |   |
| 14th                                                                                                   | France        | Pte              | 10.3.1916                       | J N Thomas  |         |   |
| Capt                                                                                                   |               |                  |                                 |             |         |   |
| Royal                                                                                                  | 328th         | Transferred      |                                 |             |         |   |
| Pte                                                                                                    | 5.5.1917      | N Savings        | Engineers                       | (Quarrying) |         |   |
| Co under A O                                                                                           |               |                  |                                 |             |         |   |
| 204/1916 (CR                                                                                           |               |                  |                                 |             |         |   |
| 18745/217/x30a)                                                                                        |               |                  |                                 |             |         |   |
| BEF                                                                                                    |               |                  |                                 |             |         |   |
| 328                                                                                                    |               |                  |                                 |             |         |   |
| R.E.                                                                                                   | Q. Cog        | Posted           | Sapper                          | 6.5.1617    | WS Hill |   |
| Major                                                                                                  |               |                  |                                 |             |         |   |
| For OiC R.E                                                                                            |               |                  |                                 |             |         |   |
| Records                                                                                                |               |                  |                                 |             |         |   |

Transferred to Class "Z" Army Reserve on Demobilization Date  23-1-1919 Signature 	
 [illegible]
For Officer i/c Records RETB Place	   London Home address 	
6 Sunderland Terrace, Barnsley, Yorkshire Service towards engagement to 	  Date of discharge 	  years 	 days Protection Certificate and Certificate of Identity

## Transcript 3:

If found, please drop this certificate in a Post Office letter box. Army form Z11 NOTICE - "This document is Government property. It is no security whatever for debt, and any Person being in possession of it, either as a pledge or security for debt, or without lawful authority or excuse, is liable under Section 156 (9) of the Army Act to a fine of twenty pounds (£20) or imprisonment for six months, or to both fine and imprisonment."

## Protection Certificate And Certificate Of Identity (Soldier Not Remaining With The Colours)

Dispersal Unit Stamp and date of dispersal. 28 Dec 1918 NORTH CAMP RIPON Surname  FAIRHURST (Block letters) Christian names  Harry Reglt number  WR/30118 	 Rank  Sapper Record Office  19 B Tavistock Square Unit 	 328 Quarry 	 	
Regt or Corps R E (TB)
Pay Office   W1
I have received an advance of £2 † Address for Pay  6 Sunderland Terrace, Barnsley, Yorks (Signature of Soldier)  Fairhurst, H Theatre of War or Command  France Born in the Year  1884 Medical category  A

Place of rejoining in case of emergency  Newark Specialist Military Qualification - The above named soldier is granted 28 days furlough from the date stamped hereon after which date uniform will not be worn except upon occasions authorised by Army Orders. If for Final Demobilization Insert 1 Disembodiment Insert 2 Transfer to Reserve Insert 3 † As this is the address to which pay and discharge documents will be sent unless further notification is received, any change of address must be reported at once to the Record Office and the Pay Office as noted above, otherwise delay in settlement will occur. This certificate must be produced when applying for an Unemployed Sailor's and Soldier's Donation Policy or, if demanded, whenever applying for Unemployment benefit. Date  26/12/18 	
Office of Issue _____ 	
Policy issued no. A/2. 015440
23 1 19 (3)

## Transcript 4: Army Form B 103

Casualty Form - Active Service Regiment or Corps 	 	
14th S. Bn. (2 BARNSLEY YORK & LANC REGT)
Regimental number 	
	
14/723 	
Rank Pte Spr 	Name Fairhurst, H
Enlisted (a) 1/3/15 	 	
	
Terms of Service (a) Duration of War 	
Service reckons from (a) 
1/3/15 Date of promotion to present rank Date of promotion to lance rank Numerical position on role of N.C.O's Extended Re-engaged 	Qualification (b) Quarryman Sup 1/8

Report Date
From whom received
Place
Date
Remarks taken from Army Form B. 213, Army Form A. 36, or from other official documents
Record of romotions, reductions, transfers, casualties etc., during active service, as reported on Army Form B. 213, Army Form A 36, or in other official documents. The authority to be quoted in each case. Emabarked for M.E.F Devonport, Decr. 28. 15 Disembarked
Port Said
17/1/16
Embarked Egypt for BEF
10 Mar 1916
9/12/16
94 7.a.
Ad. 94 7.a. Trench Feet
The Field
4/12/16
E.D 7218
9/12/16
164 CCS
Ad. 44 CCS Trench Feet
The Field
5/12/16
E.D 6948
York
Ad. 7 Can G. H
Etaples
8/12/16
H.A 5407
16/12/16
349 BD
Joined 34 9 BD
- do -
13/12/16 B. 213
30/12/16
O/C Bn
Rejoined Battalion
The Field
29/12/16 B. 213
21/4/17
- " -
To Transportation Troops Dep.
Boulogne
17/4/17
B. 213
Posted to 328 Quarrying Coy
-
17/4/17
B. 213
- " -
Tr. Tr. Dep.
4/8/17
D. A. G.
Transferred to Royal Engineers 
under A. O.
5/5/17
C.R No. 

187425/217/ X30/a
204/1916 and posted to 328 Quarrying Coy. Allotted Regtl No. 307848

## Transcript 5:

| WR 	 30118 	                                    | Fairhurst H    |
|------------------------------------|----------------|
| Report                             |                |
| Date                               | From           |
| whom                               |                |
| received                           |                |
| Place                              | Date           |
| from Army Form                     |                |
| B. 213, Army Form                  |                |
| A. 36, or from                     |                |
| other official                     |                |
| documents                          |                |
| Record of romotions, reductions,   |                |
| transfers, casualties etc., during |                |
| active service, as reported        |                |
| on Army Form B. 213, Army          |                |
| Form A 36, or in other official    |                |
| documents. The authority to be     |                |
| quoted in each case.               |                |
| Emabarked for M.E.F Devonport,     |                |
| Decr. 28. 15                       |                |
| Disembarked                        | Port Said      |
| Embarked Egypt for BEF             | 10 Mar         |
| 1916                               |                |
| 9/12/16                            | 94 7.a.        |
| 9/12/16                            | 164 CCS        |
| York                               | Ad. 7 Can G. H |
| 16/12/16                           | 349 BD         |
| 30/12/16                           | O/C Bn         |
| 21/4/17                            | - " -          |
| Posted to 328 Quarrying Coy        |                |
| -                                  |                |
| 17/4/17                            | B. 213         |
| Dep.                               |                |
| 4/8/17                             | D. A. G.       |
| under A. O.                        |                |
| 5/5/17                             | C.R No.        |
| 187425/217/                        |                |
| X30/a                              |                |
| 204/1916 and posted to 328         |                |
| Quarrying Coy. Allotted            |                |
| Regtl No. 307848                   |                |

## Transcript 5: Continued Glossary

Coy - Company Regt - Regiment Pte - Private O/C or O.C. - Officer in Charge

## Suggested Follow-Up Activity

We hope that this session will form a very useful part of your studies on the First World War. To help students evaluate their conversation with Henry as a historical source, students can see video clips of John, the actor who plays Henry's role. John talks about the research that went into creating the part and which sources and books he used. Follow the link to the video clips page: nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/greatwar/g3/worksheet/video.htm