Research – Websites
WWI
Fighting France - Celebrated novelist, Edith Wharton, was living in Paris when WWI broke out. Through a collection of articles she records the impact of war on France and the French people while visiting hospitals, ruined villages and various military sites near the front lines.
Paris War Days - Charles Inman Barnard records the ”aspect, temper, mood, and humor of Paris” from August 1, 1914 to September 16, 1914 as France mobilizes to defend itself.
Maps and battles of WWI - one of many websites containing information about the progress of WWI.
On the Edge of the War Zone and A Hilltop on the Marne - Mildred Aldrich was a journalist who moved to France in 1898. During WWI she wrote a series of journal entries and letters to Gertrude Stein about living close to the front lines.
Firstworldwar.com offers a wide range of WWI information including a daily summary of war action on all fronts.
July Crisis is an article describing the complex and, at times, confusing political and military events leading up to WWI
Reports of the use of poison gas at Ypres. During WWI, my grandfather suffered lung damage from poison gas. I used information from this article for a scene in Unravelled.
Summary of WWI with flash maps
A wealth of information about Canada’s role in WWI including official war diaries.
Includes an audio clip of the King’s speech on unveiling the Vimy memorial
Information about Canadian Signal Corps
A 1917 understanding of shellshock
A large collection of WWI photos in colour.
Diagrams of trench layout and cross-section.
France & French Culture
French fashion at the beginning of WWI.
A Village in Picardy by Ruth Gaines – description of the Smith College Relief Unit efforts to evacuate the village of Canizy in 1918 while the Germans were determined on destruction.
A Republic of Letters: The Epistolary Tradition in France during World War I by Martha Hanna. Letter writing was a matter of sustenance and survival for soldiers and their families.
WWII
Royal Canadian Corps of Signals a comprehensive look at the work of Signals including information on code cracking in WWII
Canadian War Museum - the museum includes a compelling display of WWI and WWII warfare and an extensive library of books and documents.
Espionage in WWII - a look at the tools and conduct of espionage
Other Sources
Early radio programs and the advent of radio
An article about sheep shearing
Flapper culture and style in the 1920’s
Causes of the Great Depression
Mrs. Beeton’s Book of Household Management – running a household in Victorian times
