November 2017
Apologies if you receive this as an email more than once – I’m trying a new mailout system.
For readers of German, Michael Pesek has some new blog postings. German militarism in Africa
Thanks to Enika Ngongo for the notification and link to the Belgian Register of war dead. There are currently 1,654 Belgian Force Publique names captured and more will be added as they are discovered. The names with links to the Belgian site (more detail) are included on the GWAA in memory list. There’s also an overview of Belgian involvement.
I was asked recently about the format of the In Memory lists – the information is in a simple spreadsheet to maximum access and to enable those wanting to do comparative studies to do so by downloading the file(s) to sort, delete etc as relevant to them. This does not affect the integrity of the file on the system. Where names are found in primary and secondary source material the references are included. If you know of names not included or sources for names which are on the list, please send the info in to be added to the spreadsheet.
The CWGC has launched its new website. You can search the archive for histories of the cemeteries and memorials.
The log book of HMS Challenger can be found online.
Naval History has published various diaries of naval ships during World War 1.
Languages and the First World War is a fascinating blog looking at non-military aspects of the war including some articles on Africa: body (and) language and Goodbye Tipperary for starters
For books written on the Egyptian Expeditionary Force during World War 1, Stuart Hadaway has a few, also extending into Palestine. Follow the link at the bottom to his booklets available on e-bay.
North Africans feature in this short piece by ITV. Forgotten Heroes are working on a truly global publication introducing the extent of Muslim involvement in the Allied forces of World War 1. There have been some fascinating discoveries concerning Africa – watch this space for further info.
NeverSuchInnocence has included aspects of Africa in their fourth edition.
Other current projects covering Africa:
The Unknown Fallen by Forgotten Heroes 1914-1918 Foundation
Away From the Western Front – using GWAA’s Medical information
Diversity House – Breaking the Myths There are two more events planned for 2018
Cape Corps remembered in Richmond Park, London
Finally
The GWAA website is undergoing a transformation to with a move towards themes such as the Medical one recently launched. Please let me know if there are any objections. Other themes include: Military Aspects, Naval Activity, Organisation (logistics; administration), Land Transport, Planes, Intelligence, Home Fronts and Legacy as well as Resources. Each of the theatres will feature in the themes. It is evidence of the material coming to light that this move can be made and hopefully more people will be inspired to research further.
As part of this revamp, the forum will be closed down as there are various very active discussion forums which meet the need: Great War Forum, Axis History Forum and others listed on the Sources of Info and Links page. The info on the discussion boards will be moved into relevant sections so the info isn’t lost. Where queries come in, the enquirer is invariably redirected to specific individuals I know or suspect can assist which further negates the need for the forum.
This also means the membership registration aspect of the site will disappear reducing the number of spam attacks. This will be replaced by signing up to the newsletter which is sent out each time an update is posted on the site. The need for registered membership is superfluous as no membership fee is charged and most information is freely accessible. There are some articles which require password access to protect copyright and anyone wanting access, can email me for the password. This should save members a lot of hassle – no longer having to renew passwords etc.