The First World War: The People's Story | Part 1: For King and Country | Free Documentary History

This deeply moving series draws on their unique archive of two hundred interviews with the last survivors of World War 1 filmed over the past twenty five years. Vivid and heart breaking stories are told by the last Tommies - filmed in their nineties and hundreds - recalling life and death in the main theatres of war like the Somme and Passchendaele. Part 1 tells the story of the first years of war in 1914 and 1915, culminating in the Battle of Loos when the Pals Battalions who had enthusiastically volunteered to serve, had their first taste of the horror of mass industrialised warfare.

It's one thing to hear a documentary it's another thing to hear the pain in the man's voice this documentary is absolutely amazing

They shouldn't have blurred out any film, no matter how disturbing.

Wow. My Great Grandfather was a Machine gunner SGT in the Canadian Army Machine gun Corp/ Wounded but made it home. Affects of mustard Gas for rest of life. What a waste and true horror. many brave men lost. Many brave men who stood up and served! Rest easy boys! Amazing presentation. Thank you!

Thos is the greatest documentary of real heroes. I thank you so so much for saving the world. With the upmost respect from a guy living in America.

My Grandfather on my Mother's side was born in 1899 and fought in WW1 for the USA. He died in 1985.

This was an absolute treat. Having first hand accounts from the ones who lived through it. Thanks for the upload, looking forward to the next in the series.

The horses, the forgotten casualties of War

A very touching treatment of what has to be the most senseless waste of human life in history. The focus on those most directly affected--the average working-class family--particularly resonates. The remarkable and sorrowful memories of the last surviving few when captured in footage at advanced age, and still so lucid, truly astounds. A praiseworthy job at bringing it all together.

The price paid for our freedom has been costly indeed !!! Thank a VET today !!!

Amazing documentary. The interviews really show the personnel side of the war and how it effects everyone.

So informative. So heartbreaking

I wish I could have met George Littlefair before he passed into shadow. He is one cool cat in my humble opinion; that from a former Signals Officer. I served my country under arms for 10 years. I wonder how far he was from my Grandfather who was a Sapper and served with the Canadian Expeditionary Force in 1917-1918. Rest In Peace Pte Littlefair; you have more than earned it. "And at the going down of the sun, we will remember them". Aye... God Bless these men and women and their legacies. Velox Versutus Vigilans

The narrator said it was the 100th anniversary of the war and the interviews had been archived. Still I wish they had provided the interview dates.

Life in trenches were absolutely miserable. Unable to withstand how these soldiers and young lads have the courage to survive in those conditions!!

This vetaran witness not one but two world wars ..... incredible ! ✌️✌️

You rarely see the human side of a war. The woman told him that she will wait for him. The future are theirs. Very touching.

I was hoping this would extensively cover the events that lead to war and what was like before, what the public had to say, what politics were at play and so forth..

Thank you, great work.

Very moving true stories. You have done well.