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The Imperial Forces on the Western Front: A Comprehensive Study

Explore the involvement and impact of Imperial forces in key Western Front battles during the Great War.

305 enrolled on this course

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The Imperial Forces on the Western Front: A Comprehensive Study

305 enrolled on this course

  • 4 weeks

  • 8 hours per week

  • Digital certificate when eligible

  • Introductory level

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  • Duration

    4 weeks
  • Weekly study

    8 hours
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Examine deployment to the Western Front and its impact on future world wars

This four-week course will help you delve into the experiences of the Imperial and Dominion forces of World War I.

You’ll gain unique insights and historical expertise from leading military historians.

Explore the mobilisation and recruitment processes before 1914

You’ll start by uncovering the strategies and backgrounds behind the mobilisation and recruitment of Imperial and Dominion forces before World War I.

Learning about the composition and integration of these forces within the British Empire, you’ll understand how they were prepared for the impending conflict.

Examine the mobilisation and deployment to the Western Front

Next, you’ll discover the meticulous planning and logistical challenges involved in deploying Imperial troops to the Western Front.

Analyse the impact of these deployments on the early stages of World War I and how they set the stage for the great battles to come.

Investigate recruitment and conscription strategies during the war

You’ll delve into the various recruitment and conscription strategies employed during the war to meet the manpower demands of the Western Front.

Through this exploration, you’ll understand the different aspects involved in sustaining the war effort.

Review the integration of imperial forces in major battles

Finally, you’ll examine the contributions and combat effectiveness of different contingents, from the Indian Army at Neuve Chapelle to the Australians at Villers-Bretonneux.

Join the University of Kent to explore this pivotal chapter in history with guidance from expert military historians and access to exclusive resources.

Syllabus

  • Week 1

    Mobilisation and recruitment

    • General Godley reviews New Zealand troops after the Battle of Messines. (National Library NZ on The Commons, no restrictions, via Wikimedia Commons)

      Introduction

      Welcome to the course. To begin, course leader Mario Draper provides a brief introduction, then we'll start to explore the relationship between Britain and the colonies & dominions.

    • Recruitment poster, c.1910: 'Territorial Force, County of Kent, 5th Battalion The Buffs'.  The Territorial Force was created in 1908 after the re-organisation of the militia and volunteers.

      The South African War & military reform, 1902-1914

      Here we examine the lead up to the Great War, looking at the reforms made in the British Army following the Boer War, and the Imperial Army Project. We'll also consider the specific case of Britain’s largest colony – India.

    • 1918 photograph of members of the Maori Pioneer Battalion sharpening a hatchet on a grindstone in the camp at Bayencourt, France, during World War I.

      The call to arms

      In this activity we'll consider the recruitment and mobilisation of Imperial and Dominion forces, and introduce the concept of "martial races".

    • Photo of Men of the Chinese Labour Corps unloading duck boards at a railway siding, 2 February 1918

      Raising labour for the Western Front

      Here we examine the contribution made by labour contingents (in particular, Chinese and South African labourers) on the Western Front, considering the differences in experiences of Imperial labourers compared to fighting troops.

    • Photograph of conscriptionists campaigning for conscription in Mingenew, Western Australia in 1917

      The manpower challenge

      In this activity we'll look at the challenge of raising manpower for the Western Front, and how and why this challenge was met either by volunteersim or conscription.

    • 'Gentlemen of India marching to chasten German hooligans' 1914 Photograph postcard. By National Army Museum - NAM Accession Number NAM. 1983-10-275-1, Public Domain

      Summary

      We round off our first week with a brief summary of the topics we've covered and a chance to reflect.

  • Week 2

    Imperial forces in action

    • Illustration of Indian troops charging German positions at Neuve Chapelle, 1915

      Introduction

      Mario Draper starts our second week with a brief overview of the topics we'll cover.

    • Photo of a Benet-Mercier machine gun section of 2nd Rajput Light Infantry in action in Flanders, during the winter of 1914-15.

      Indians and South Africans

      Here we consider the contribution of Indians, particularly at Neuve Chapelle, and South Africans, at Delville Wood.

    • Photo of Canadian troops en route to a rest period after taking part in the capture of Vimy Ridge, by William Ivor Castle, official Canadian War photographer, public domain

      Canadians and Newfoundlanders

      Here we consider the contributions of Canadians, particularly at Vimy Ridge, and Newfoundlanders at Beaumont-Hamel.

    • General John Monash and brigadiers at Headquarters, Saint-Gratien (Somme) castle, 31 May 1918.

      Australians and New Zealanders

      Here we consider the contributions of Australians and New Zealanders on the Western Front.

    • Photo of Newfoundland soldiers waiting in St. John's Road support trench, 1916

      Summary

      To round off our second week, we'll engage with academic texts relating to Colonial and Dominion Forces on the Western Front, before Mario Draper provides a brief summary of what we've covered this week.

  • Week 3

    Image and reputation

    • Photo of soldiers with a captured German field gun at the Battle of Messines, June 1917

      Introduction

      Mario Draper starts our third week with a brief overview of the topics we'll cover.

    • Mark I tank surrounded by infantry from 122nd Brigade (41st Division), 15 September 1916 (The Battle of Flers Courcelette)

      Shock troops

      In this activity we'll look at the ways in which Imperial troops were used, including how they were invovled in new approaches to warfare and the specialist roles they took on.

    • Photo of New Zealand soldiers using a library organised by the New Zealand YMCA in Beauvois, France, during World War I.

      Discipline and morale

      here we'll consider issues related to discipline, including court martials and use of the death penalty, and morale, including the importance of sports and other social activities.

    • Photo of Mark II Tank advancing with Canadian infantry at Vimy, 1917

      Summary

      To round off our third week, Mario Draper provides a brief overview of the topics we've covered.

  • Week 4

    Memory and commemoration

    • Graves at Tyne Cot Cemetery

      Introduction

      Mario Draper introduces our fourth and final week with a brief overview of the topics we'll cover. In this activity we also consider the work of the Imperial War Graves Commission.

    • Detail from the Canadian memorial at Vimy Ridge

      Permanent memorials

      Here we look in detail at a number of memorials and cemeteries, including the Menin Gate in Ypres and sites related to particular Imperial contributors.

    • Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Vimy Ridge memorial

      Pilgrimage and legacy

      In this activity we consider the legacy of the Great War, thinking about the idea of 'pilgrims' and 'tourists', visiting one of the most recently built war cemeteries, and investigating the idea of the 'unknown soldier'.

    • Logo of The Western Front Association

      Conclusions

      We conclude our fourth week - and our course overall - with a brief look back at all the topics we've covered.

When would you like to start?

Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.

  • Available now

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

  • Explore the Imperial and Dominion experience of the Great War
  • Engage with online resources related to the subject
  • Evaluate and critically analyse a range of material to formulate and articulate opinions
  • Discuss issues around the Great War with professional educators and like-minded people
  • Develop research skills

Who is the course for?

This course is designed for members of the Western Front Association, general history enthusiasts, educators seeking classroom resources, and potential University of Kent applicants.

It’s ideal for those interested in military history and the experiences of Imperial and Dominion forces during the Great War.

Who will you learn with?

Mario Draper

Mario is Lecturer in Modern British and European History at the University of Kent. His research and teaching focuses on the relationships between armies and societies in the 19th and 20th centuries.

Who developed the course?

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The University of Kent

The University of Kent, the UK’s European university, is one of the country’s most dynamic universities. Established in 1965, it now has 19,850 students studying at its various campuses.

The Western Front Association logo

The Western Front Association

The Western Front Association was formed in 1980 to maintain interest in the period 1914-1918, to perpetuate the memory, courage and comradeship of those on all sides who served their countries in France and Flanders and their own countries during the Great War. It does not seek to glorify war and is non-political.

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Ways to learn

Choose the best way to learn for you!

Subscribe & save

$244.99 for a whole year

Automatically renews

Develop skills to further your career

  • Access to this course
  • Access to 1,000+ courses
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Digital certificate when you're eligible

Cancel for free anytime

Buy this course

$109/one-off payment

Fulfill your current learning need

  • Access to this course
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Printed and digital certificate when you’re eligible

Limited access

Free

Sample the course materials

  • Access expires 5 Mar 2025

Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)

Sale price available until 3 March 2025 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply.

Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)

Sale price available until 3 March 2025 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply.

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