Learning Resources
The CWGC is creating free high-quality war resources for all ages. We bring together resources, teaching aids, cemetery guides and interpretative material that supports young people in exploring their local CWGC heritage. Find education resources for use in the classroom, in a cemetery or on battlefield visits, as well as guidance and aids to family historians.
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If you have any questions related to our education work across the world, please do get in touch at: education@cwgc.org.
Exploring Africa and the First World War
This educational resource helps students and teachers broaden their understanding of the First World War by exploring the experiences of Africans who served and contributed during the conflict. Through stories drawn from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) records and engaging classroom activities, learners discover the global nature of the war and consider why some voices and experiences have been overlooked in history.
Focusing on the often-forgotten stories of Africans involved in the war, the resource places individual experiences within the wider context of the conflict in Africa. Designed primarily for students aged 10 to 14, it is also suitable for anyone interested in learning more about this lesser-known aspect of the First World War.
Download 'Forgotten Voices' PowerPoint
The Battle of The Boar's Head Podcast
One battle, a failed plan and the loss of a whole generation. This is the story of the day that Sussex died, told by the voices of the next generation. Discover the story of the Battle of the Boar’s Head from the First World War, meet the men from towns like Worthing who signed up and fought as part of the Southdowns Battalions and learn how they’re being remembered today. Brought to you by The Commonwealth War Graves Commission, SHINE Worthing and the Lawson Trust.
Produced by Sheeran Media.
The Battle of the Somme - Classroom enquiry
A classroom enquiry looking at how and why we should remember the Battle of the Somme today. The enquiry encourages students to investigate the the battle and its impact on local communities, the development of military strategy, the contribution of Empire troops, historical interpretations and how and why the battle should be remembered. A resources for those aged 13-15 years old.
One Day in a World War - FIRST WORLD WAR
This teaching resource encourages young people to explore the extent to which the First World War was a ‘world war’ following an enquiry-based approach. It uses information from the CWGC’s records to examine the personal stories of those who died on a single day in 1916 across the world. Primarily aimed at students aged 11-14, the information could be used by any age group interested in exploring the stories behind those who died during this key period in the First World War.
Tolkien and the Battle of the Somme
To commemorate the 110th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme, this new resource covers JRR Tolkien's experience of the Somme and the effect on his subsequent writing. Specifically designed to be delivered in one lesson and adaptable to any age or stage, but probably most suited to ages 10-14, this offers an exploration of a little known part of Tolkien's life to students who will best know him through his books. Discover a range of History and English activities and lots of extension possibilities.
School visit resources - worldwide
Discover the incredible work of the CWGC and the stories of those we commemorate. Our education resources enable your students to learn about the history of our sites, explore the scale of the 'World Wars' and the stories of those who came from across the globe to serve.
Remembrance resources for teachers and youth leaders
This teaching pack contains a range of activities and ideas for all ages designed to encourage young people to consider what remembrance means to them and to different communities around the world.
CWGC Duke of Edinburgh Award
Download our guidance to support young people who would like to conduct a research project as part of their work towards the D of E Skills Section. We have created a series of suggested tasks and activities which will offer support as you complete the section of the Award.
Women in the Second World War
This teaching resource explores a range of stories of women casualties from the Second World War. These stories are set within the wider context of women’s war work, and some of the different auxiliary and military nursing services open to women during this period. Primarily aimed at students aged 10-14, the information could be used with any age group interested in exploring the stories behind women’s roles in the Second World War.
One Day in a World War - D-DAY
This teaching resource encourages young people to explore the extent to which the Second World War was a ‘world war’ following an enquiry-based approach. It makes use of information from the CWGC’s records to look at the personal stories of those who died on D-Day: 6th June 1944, across the world. Primarily aimed at students aged 10-14, the information could be used by any age group interested in exploring the stories behind this key date in the Second World War.
Menin Gate Moments
This teaching resource encourages young people to explore the story of one of the most iconic CWGC memorials, the Menin Gate in Ieper, Belgium. Using engaging artwork, students create their own narrative of the development of this site and the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial. Primarily aimed at students aged 10-14, this engaging activity could be used by any age group interested in exploring the fascinating history of this memorial.
South Africa in World War One
This resource and the VR which accompanies it has been developed to support History CAPS for the Intermediate and Senior Phases. In particular, Grade 8 CAPS History requirements connected to South Africa and the First World War. Partners in South Africa and Britain have teamed up to create diverse experiences that reflect the interests of diverse audiences: two Virtual Reality films, a heritage app, an exhibition, and an education pack for teachers.
Medicine on the Western Front
Originally developed as part of UCLs First World War Centenary Battlefield Tours Programme, this updated classroom enquiry enables students to explore how effective medical care was on the Western Front in the First World War.
It also includes guidance as to how to relate each section to the visible evidence of the battlefield sites of the Western Front today, with examples of activities that could be used at CWGC cemeteries or war memorials around Ypres in Belgium.
Aimed at GCSE History students (aged 14-16) but has wider application as an introduction to this topic.
Poetry in the First World War
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission has many links to poetry through those war poets who are buried or commemorated at our various cemeteries and memorials around the world. This teaching resource encourages students to explore and compare the experiences of war in a selection of the poetry of the First World War by men and women. Primarily aimed at students aged 11-14 as an introduction to exploring poetry in context.
Download the Poetry and Context PDF
Black History Month
October is Black History Month across the UK. In cemeteries and memorials across the world, you can discover the stories of those from the Black community who served in both World Wars. This resource is designed to provide you with a selection of ideas as to how schools can incorporate the stories of Black service personnel and their contributions to the war effort into their work around Black History Month.
Download our Activity Booklet
This booklet is full of fun activities for young explorers, writers, and artists. Get inspired by visiting one of our cemeteries or memorials and discover more about the work that we do, the people we commemorate and to help us ensure that they are always remembered.
CWGC ‘How to research…’ Guides – The First World War
Explore our bitesize guides, designed to help you research an individual who died in the First World War.
RAF Air Cadets CWGC Research project
Over 58,000 RAF and Air Force personnel are buried or commemorated in the UK. Discover more about their lives and ensure that every name is remembered.
Publications
We have a series of free information leaflets and publications covering our regions and some of our cemeteries, monuments and their surrounding areas available for download.
CWGC Mobile Apps
Our free apps help you make the most of your trip to our sites, whether researching the headstone in front of you or deciding which of our sites to discover next.
Researching cemeteries and memorials
This bitesize guide will show you how to get started with our online catalogue and give tips on how to begin your research into one of our sites. You'll find out how to locate and access war records relating to the site covering aspects including the design, construction, unveiling, and maintenance.
Researching CWGC staff members
This guide will show you how to research former CWGC members of staff. You'll get tips on how to use the CWGC Archive catalogue and how to use a member of staff's staff card to find out more about their role.
View our series of free downloadable information leaflets and publications
Publications
There are more than 58,000 RAF and air force personnel buried or commemorated in the UK. We want you to discover more about them, learn about their lives and ensure that every name is remembered.
RAF Air Cadets – Research project
Explore our bitesize guides, designed to help you research an individual who died in the First World War.
CWGC ‘How to research…’ Guides – The First World War