Who were these men?

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Who were these men?

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Introduction

The First World War is often studied through textbooks and official records, but what was it really like to live through it? Who Do You Think They Were? gives students a rare opportunity to hear directly from three First World War veterans, sharing their personal experiences of life in the trenches. Their voices offer a candid, unfiltered insight into the horrors, hardships, and camaraderie of the Western Front.

This unique audio recording, made decades after the war, brings history to life through real voices, real memories, and real stories. The accompanying free-to-download resources guide students through historical enquiry, genealogy, research, and remembrance—helping them connect personally with the past.

Designed for Key Stage 2, these resources encourage critical thinking, historical curiosity, and empathy, making history accessible and engaging for young learners. They are primarily designed for group activities but can also be adapted for individual study.

Listen to the recordings

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Legasee WW1 War Recordings Educational Resource

Resource 1 – A world war

This resource introduces pupils to primary research, to develop an understanding of what social history is, and to devise relevant questions to aid research. They will consider how oral history can be a starting point for their research.

Resource 2 – Private investigators

This resource is focused on developing a stronger personal understanding of the veteran’s life as well as developing a better knowledge of research practices.

The tasks are intended to provide the research inputs to enable the pupil to prepare a report about their chosen veteran.

Resource 3 – Extra sensory perception

Oral History can be a powerful way to engage your students with history. All three of the featured veterans share candid and often times surprising memories of their times in the trenches. Use the recording to help your pupils realise what their own relatives might have lived through.

Resource 4 – Changing places

This resource will encourage pupils to think about the practicalities of life in a trench, sometimes up to fifty days at a stretch.

Resource 5 – Write your own history

This resource focuses on ways to remember those that have fought and died for their country. How people felt a few years after the First World War was different to how we reflect on it now.

Activity book

There are five resources for Key Stage 2 pupils. They have been designed for use as a group activity but can be adapted to individual study. The resources will help pupils develop skills and understanding in genealogy, research, oral history and remembrance.

learning outcomes

These resources help students engage with the real stories of the First World War, developing their historical enquiry, research, and analytical skills through first-hand testimony.

By working through these activities, students will:

Listen to and interpret oral history, considering how personal testimonies shape our understanding of war.
Develop research skills by investigating the veterans’ lives through genealogy and historical records.
Understand the realities of trench life, including the physical and emotional challenges faced by soldiers.
Compare past and present perspectives on remembrance, considering how our understanding of WWI has evolved over time.
Reflect on their own family histories and how war has shaped personal and national identity.

These engaging, accessible resources encourage students to think like historians, using real voices from the past to deepen their understanding of one of history’s most significant conflicts.

usage information

Our resources are all provided free of charge. Whilst they remain the intellectual property of Legasee Educational Trust, we would be delighted if you would download, print off, photocopy and use in the way that best suits your learning and teaching styles.