A Personal Connection....Remembering World War 1

 

What a special treat! Today, Mrs. Tucker (John and Michael's grandmother) visited our two classes to share a very special story about her grandfather (John and Michael's great, great grandfather!!) that we made many important connections to with what we have been studying recently in Social Studies.

Captain Norman Caudwell (Canadian) served in World War 1 in support of Britain and its allies, as Canada was a colony of Great Britain during this time in history. Britain had reached out to many of its colonies and allies to gain support during this terrible war and Captain Caudwell enthusiastically accepted this responsibility. He had been a member of the Army but was accepted into the Royal Naval Air Service as a pilot~ and today we got to see actual entries from his Pilot's Flying Log Book. We learned of his eagerness to serve his Mother Country during a time when many were too reluctant or scared to do so. 

Mrs. Tucker also shared with us some of the literature that was handed out by the British government to try to gain more involvement (see below).

During this war, Captain Caudwell survived a bullet injury to his right arm~ we even got to see part of the bullet that was extracted from his injured arm that he and his family has saved all of these years.

Mrs. Tucker had a very captive audience as she shared, from the heart, her pride in all that her great grandfather accomplished. The many artifacts (primary sources) that she brought to share with us (numerous newspaper clippings, photographs, actual Buckingham Palace memorandums from King George V, dog tag, pilot log, etc.) really brought this historical event to life for the students-  made it REAL for the students. This is an experience we will all remember for a very long time and we truly appreciate Mrs. Tucker's willingness to share her personal story with all of us!