Exhibition 'Raids, Rations and Rifles: Islington during the First World War' in Islington Local History Centre and Museum
In the Metropolitan Boroughs of Islington and Finsbury (now a part of Islington), from 1914 until 1918, many families lost a father, brother, son or other relative on the battlefield during the conflict. Life on the home front was also a challenging and sometimes frightening experience.
The cost of the war against Germany and its partners was considerable. Almost one million people lost their lives from Britain and its dominions alone and nearly 10,000 of these were linked in some way to Islington.
Soldiers from local battalions, including those from the Honourable Artillery Company, the Finsbury Rifles and ‘Islington’s Own’ fought on the Western Front, at Gallipoli and in Palestine. Five Islington-born soldiers were each awarded the Victoria Cross during the conflict. Islington sailors were to lose their lives at the Battle of Jutland and over 150 servicemen from Islington and Finsbury fell on the first day of the Battle of the Somme. Women from Islington also served abroad and some were never to return home.
Residents from Islington and Finsbury experienced hostilities and hardships without even leaving the borough during the war. Islington was to feature in the first and last enemy air raids on London. An entire German spy ring was uncovered and an alien internment camp holding 750 internees was established in the north of the borough. Local companies, women and children did more than their bit to help the war effort. And, libraries were turned in hospitals, food offices and recruiting centres.
‘Raids, Rations and Rifles: Islington during the First World War’ focuses on these themes. It remembers those who served on the front line, as well as exploring everyday life in the borough as the conflict was brought unavoidably into people’s homes and lives.
