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WWI school menu
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WWI school menu
World War I, menus for necessitous schoolchildren Date: c. 1914-1918
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Media ID 7403567
© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10474524
1371 Dinner Dinners Menus Schools
EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative photograph captures a poignant moment in the history of education during World War I. The image shows a school menu from the necessitous schools of the early 1900s, a time when the Great War disrupted the lives of millions, including the daily routine of children in the classroom. The date on the menu is estimated to be between 1914 and 1918. The menu, with its handwritten entries, lists the meager offerings that were to be served to the schoolchildren. The items include bread, milk, and a small portion of meat or fish, with a few vegetables and a pudding for dessert. The lack of variety and the meager portions reflect the challenging economic conditions of the time, as resources were diverted to the war effort and food became scarce. Despite the hardships, the school continued to provide a vital service to the community. The children, many of whom were likely from families directly affected by the war, would have looked forward to their daily meals at school, a small comfort in an uncertain world. The menu also serves as a reminder of the resilience and determination of the education system during this period, which continued to prioritize the needs of the children, even in the face of great adversity. This photograph offers a glimpse into the past, providing a tangible connection to a time when the world was forever changed by the events of the First World War. It serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made during this period, and the enduring importance of education and community support in times of need.
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