First World War

1st Reserve Regiment of Cavalry in training, 1914

Cavalry on the Western Front

In the First World War, the cavalry could no longer deliver the decisive charges it had performed in the past. But it continued to carry out a variety of useful roles that contributed to British success.

Horses carrying ammunition, c1917

Horse power in the First World War

Without its hard-working horses, the Army could not have functioned during the First World War. Their contribution included carrying and pulling supplies, ammunition, artillery and even the wounded.

Stables of The Buffs, 1914

Army horse care in the First World War

During the First World War, the Army relied on its horses to perform a wide range of jobs. The requisition, transportation and care of these animals was therefore of huge importance.

General Jan Smuts, 1918

Jan Smuts: The warrior-statesman

Field Marshal Jan Christiaan Smuts successfully led troops against Britain in the Boer War. He later commanded the South African Defence Force fighting alongside British soldiers in several First World War campaigns.

The Cenotaph in Whitehall, 1919

Peace and commemoration

After the Armistice in November 1918, millions of soldiers hoped they would soon go home. But demobilising so many troops was a huge task. How best to mark the Allied victory also became a subject for debate.

Celtic plaid brooch taken from the body of a Sinn Féin rebel, 1916

Easter Rising

On Easter Monday 1916, Irish nationalists launched an armed revolt against British rule in Ireland. Although quickly suppressed by the British Army, the rising was a seminal moment in modern Irish history.

British and Gurkha troops, 1917

Egypt and Palestine campaign

The struggle against the Turks in Egypt and Palestine began with a test of endurance and engineering in harsh desert terrain. It evolved into a fast-moving mobile campaign, which resulted in Allied victory and the fall of the Ottoman Empire.

Warrington Road in the Ypres Salient, 1917

1917: Year of stalemate

In 1917, Germany adopted a defensive strategy on the Western Front to counter the growing strength of the Allies. Despite launching several offensives, and suffering heavy casualties, the Allies achieved mixed results.

General Herbert Kitchener, 1899

Herbert Kitchener: The taskmaster

Field Marshal Herbert Kitchener was famous for colonial victories in the Sudan and South Africa. Later, he helped build Britain’s first mass army during the First World War.

Carved figure of a sergeant of the King's African Rifles, 1917

East Africa campaign

Throughout the First World War, British Empire soldiers fought against a small German force in East Africa. Led by Colonel Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck, the Germans inflicted many casualties and avoided defeat in the field.

Turkish prisoners after General Brooking's victory at Ramadi, September 1917

Mesopotamia campaign

During 1914-18, British troops fought the Turks in Mesopotamia. After many setbacks, they finally took Baghdad in March 1917. This marked the high point of a long and tragic campaign fought in a harsh climate.

March past of the South Persia Rifles, c1918 

Persia mission

In June 1916, a British military mission began recruiting a local force in neutral Persia. Its goal was to bolster Allied interests and prevent enemy influence in the region.

Explore First World War events

A British medical orderly treats a wounded German soldier, c1916
Secondary
1 Jun 2024 - 20 Jul 2026 FREE

Trench medicine: Illnesses, injuries and their treatment (virtual)

Explore artefacts and sources on the causes and treatment of injuries and illnesses on the Western Front during the First World War, and assess the impact of these innovations.

School students getting to grips with the handling collection
Secondary
1 Jun 2024 - 20 Jul 2026 FREE

World at War: Soldiers of Empire

Discover more about the contributions of soldiers from the British Empire in the First and Second World Wars.

Recruitment and conscription
Secondary
1 Jun 2024 - 20 Jul 2026 FREE

Recruitment and conscription

Analyse recruitment posters from the Museum's collection and multimedia recreations of First World War parliamentary debates to explore the history of Army recruitment and conscription.

Soldier in Afghan poppy field, 2009
Primary
1 Jun 2024 - 20 Jul 2026 FREE

Poppies to remember? (virtual)

Discover some of the stories of Remembrance held by the Museum, the evolution of the poppy as a symbol, and how it is used today.

School students getting to grips with the handling collection
Secondary
1 Jun 2024 - 20 Jul 2026 FREE

Trench medicine: Illnesses, injuries and their treatment

Explore artefacts and sources on the causes and treatment of injuries and illnesses on the Western Front during the First World War, and assess the impact of these innovations.

Part of a First World War propaganda poster showing a soldier and a munitions worker
Primary
1 Jun 2024 - 20 Jul 2026 FREE

Your Country Needs You! Propaganda and recruitment (virtual)

Explore how advertising and propaganda work, particularly focusing on recruitment campaigns of the First World War.

School children taking part in a Remembrance workshop
Primary
1 Jun 2024 - 20 Jul 2026 FREE

Poppies to remember?

Discover some of the stories of Remembrance held by the Museum, the evolution of the poppy as a symbol, and how it is used today.

Mission accomplished? Comparing First World War battles
Secondary
1 Jun 2024 - 20 Jul 2026 FREE

Mission accomplished? Examining First World War battles

Investigate four key battles through primary sources and decide whether they can be considered victories or defeats.

Your Country Needs You! Propaganda and recruitment
Primary
1 Jun 2024 - 20 Jul 2026 FREE

Your Country Needs You! Propaganda and recruitment

Explore how advertising and propaganda work, particularly focusing on recruitment campaigns of the First World War.

'Madness of Courage' book cover
Talk
24 Oct 2025 FREE

Madness of Courage: The Exceptional Achievements of Gilbert Insall

Join acclaimed intelligence historian Dr Tony Insall as he shares the gripping true story of his great-uncle – one of the first pilots to be awarded the Victoria Cross.

'The White Lady' book cover
Book launch
28 Oct 2025 £15.00

The White Lady

Author Helen Fry returns for the launch of her new book, which focuses on two key intelligence networks operating behind enemy lines during the World Wars.

Explore First World War learning resources

BlackPoppyRose at the National Army Museum
Video

BlackPoppyRose at the National Army Museum

Explore the theme of remembrance and the service of African and Caribbean men and women in the British Army with BlackPoppyRose.

Walter Tull character actor
Video

Walter Tull: A Soldier’s Story

Explore the life and times of Walter Tull, one of Britain’s first black army officers, who served during the First World War.

Women of the West Indies Auxiliary Territorial Service, c1944
Video

Virtual Exhibition: West Indian Soldier

Explore the history of Caribbean people in the British Army, and of the British Army in the Caribbean, through this virtual tour of the West Indian Soldier exhibition.

Soldiers of the British West Indies Regiment, France, 1916
Timeline

West Indian Soldier: Interactive Timeline

Explore the history of Caribbean people in the British Army, and of the British Army in the Caribbean, through an interactive timeline.

Poppies and Remembrance: Gallery Trail
Trail

Poppies and Remembrance: Gallery Trail

Follow this gallery trail to find out more about Remembrance and the lives of soldiers during the First World War.

First World War: Gallery Trail
Trail

First World War: Gallery Trail

Follow this gallery trail to find out more about the role of the British Army during the First World War.

Make Your Own Remembrance Wreath
Home Activity

Make Your Own Remembrance Wreath

Explore the history of the poppy and create your own remembrance wreath in this family friendly activity.

The Unknown Warrior prior to embarkation at Boulogne, 1920
Video

Virtual Exhibition: The Unknown Warrior

Discover the extraordinary story of the First World War’s Unknown Warrior through our virtual exhibition.

Indian Army troops travelling upstream on a barge, Mesopotamia, c1916
Timeline

India, Empire and the Army: Interactive Timeline

Explore the history of the British Army in India and the British Empire's Indian armies through this interactive timeline packed with over 200 sources.

Outside an advanced dressing station at Tilloy-les-Mofflaines, Western Front, April 1917
Timeline

Health and Medicine in the Army: Interactive Timeline

Uncover the history of medical developments in the British Army through this interactive timeline packed with nearly 200 sources.

History of Warfare: Gallery Trail
Trail

History of Warfare: Gallery Trail

Follow the trail to find 10 objects that explore the nature of warfare and the British Army through time.

Make Your Own Gift Tin
Home activity

Make Your Own Gift Tin

Discover the story of the Princess Mary Gift Tin in this family-friendly, festive First World War activity.