Creative Writing 1: 'The German Ward'

Read Vera Brittain's 'The German Ward'.

This poem effectively reminds us that we need to look back through history with perspective. There are times in the study of English literature about the Great War when it is easy to focus too much attention on one section of society - often the male, Allied troops. We must also remember that there were soldiers fighting against the Allied forces, and women also had important roles to play, both at home and abroad.

Vera Brittain(pictured left) worked as a nurse during the War on several British and foreign postings and saw the effects of conflict on both the Allied and German troops and it is this experience that influenced her writing of 'The German Ward'. You can find more about her life and work in the Vera Brittain Collection at the First World War Poetry Digital Archive

Task: Write a short piece as if you were a German patient under the care of Vera and other members of the British nursing staff. Think about how you would feel in this situation? Would you be scared, pleased or resentful? Leave your response as a comment below.


Note: Photograph held here at the First World War Poetry Digital Archive.