The British Empire during World War One

How did the empire help Britain?

Canadian poster appealing for people to join the armed forces in World War One

The war involved people from all over the world.

Britain's colonies sent over two and a half million men to fight for Britain during the war.

India sent the most soldiers. At that time, India included both Pakistan and Bangladesh.

British Colonies sent soldiers from five different continents: Europe, North America, Australasia, Asia and Africa.

Which British Empire countries sent soldiers?

Indian soldiers serving with the British Army at camp during World War One. — Image caption,
Indian soldiers serving with the British Army at camp.

Canadian soldiers sleeping and writing letters in a World War One trench. — Image caption,
Canadian soldiers sleeping and writing letters in a trench.

Australian and New Zealand Army Corps with their one year old pet kangaroo in 1916 — Image caption,
24th August 1916: Soldiers in the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps with their one-year-old pet kangaroo 'Joey'.

South African soldiers stationed at Bexhill in October 1915 with their baboon mascot. — Image caption,
October 1915: South African soldiers stationed at Bexhill with their baboon mascot.

Rhodesian soldiers getting off a train in the desert in South West Africa in September 1915. — Image caption,
September 1915: Rhodesian soldiers getting off a train in the desert in the war in South West Africa.

The Royal Family

Image caption,
Postcard showing King George V offering thanks to the Army and Navy, Christmas 1918.

Portraits of Queen Mary and King George V sent to British Armed Forces Christmas 1914 — Image caption,
Official portraits of Queen Mary and King George V in 1914.

During the war, the Royal Family changed its surname from 'Saxe-Coburg-Gotha' to 'Windsor', which sounded more British.

George V was related to the leaders of Russia, Germany and other European royalty. The name change helped to separate him from them.

Other British royals played a part in the war:

Princess Mary worked as a nurse.
Edward, Prince of Wales (later King Edward VIII) served in France as a Staff Officer. He was awarded the Military Cross and in 1918 learned to fly. But he was banned from fighting in case he was captured by the German Army.
Prince Albert (later King George VI) served in the Navy and Army.

How many soldiers from the British Empire served?

World War One soldiers in silhouette loading a weapon

From 'The Statistics of the Military Effort of the British Empire during the Great War 1914-1920':

Britain: 5,000,000
India: 1,440,437
Canada: 628,964
Australia: 412,953
South Africa: 136,070
New Zealand: 128,825
Other colonies: 134,837

How were soldiers from the Empire treated?

Indian soldiers serving with the British Army engage in a friendly boxing match circa 1916. — Image caption,
Indian soldiers engage in a friendly boxing match circa, 1916.

You might think that soldiers from around the world might be treated fairly and equally. Sadly this wasn’t always the case.

In some ways, the soldiers were treated well. They were allowed to practise their religion and eat according to their beliefs. However, they were not allowed to train as officers and white English nurses were not allowed to treat Indian soldiers.

When the war ended, India was not allowed to govern itself. Eventually, in 1947, it did gain independence from Great Britain.

Independence

British South Africa Police with their troops in Rhodesia in World War One — Image caption,
Commanding officers of the Rhodesian volunteers with their troops.

The colonies fought hard to help Britain in the war. But they questioned if they deserved a chance to rule themselves with their own governments.

Britain saw how much these colonies helped during the war and decided that some could be given more freedom once the war ended.

This was a step towards some countries gaining independence.

How were the soldiers remembered?

Image caption,
The Canadian Volunteers known as The Moose Jaw Legion of Frontiersmen in 1914.

Sadly, the role of the Indian army was not given the same level of publicity as Australian, Canadian or South African soldiers. Their story was largely forgotten from history.
With recent work, this is changing so people are becoming more likely to know about the bravery of soldiers from across the empire.

Activities

Activity 1: Quiz – Empires during World War One

Activity 2: History Explorer game

Play this game to test your knowledge and learn even more facts about World War One.

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