What role did the British Empire play in the war? | History for Year 6 PDF Download

Why Were Empires Important?

Empires played a significant role in the war due to the extensive involvement of their colonies, which provided essential resources and manpower. Great Britain, Germany, Russia, and Austria-Hungary, as imperial powers, relied on their colonies for supplies, food, and soldiers to support the war effort.

The British Empire alone mobilized over 2.5 million men from its colonies to fight. India, which then included Pakistan and Bangladesh, contributed the largest number of soldiers. Other colonies, including Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), also sent thousands of troops. This global effort meant Britain had soldiers from five continents: Europe, North America, Australasia, Asia, and Africa.

The Royal Family

The British Empire was led by the Royal Family, the same family that rules today, with King George V, Queen Elizabeth II’s grandfather, reigning during the war. To emphasize British identity, the Royal Family changed its name from Saxe-Coburg-Gotha to Windsor in 1917, distancing itself from ties to European royalty, including the leaders of Russia and Germany, to whom George V was related.

Members of the Royal Family actively participated in the war effort:

• Princess Mary served as a nurse and organized the distribution of tins containing tobacco or sweets to every serviceman for Christmas 1914.
• Edward, Prince of Wales (later King Edward VIII), served as a Staff Officer in France, earned the Military Cross, and learned to fly in 1918, though he was barred from combat to avoid capture by German forces.
• Prince Albert (later King George VI), who was not the heir at the time, served in both the Navy and Army and participated in combat.

The Royal Family, particularly King George V, served as a source of inspiration for many across the Empire, helping to unify and motivate people by providing a sense of purpose for the war.

Postcard showing King George V offering thanks to the Army and Navy, Christmas 1918.

How Many Soldiers from the British Empire Served?

According to The Statistics of the Military Effort of the British Empire during the Great War 1914-1920, the British Empire mobilized the following numbers of soldiers:

• Britain: 5,000,000
• India: 1,440,437
• Canada: 628,964
• Australia: 412,953
• South Africa: 136,070
• New Zealand: 128,825
• Other colonies: 134,837

How Were Soldiers from the Empire Treated?

Despite the significant contributions of colonial soldiers, they often faced unfair treatment due to the racist attitudes prevalent in Britain at the time. While soldiers were permitted to practice their religions and follow dietary customs, they were denied opportunities to train as officers, and white English nurses were prohibited from treating Indian soldiers.

Post-war, India faced continued restrictions under the Rowlatt Act, which limited press freedom and free speech, delaying its independence until 1947.

Indian soldiers engage in a friendly boxing match circa, 1916.

Independence

The substantial contributions of colonial soldiers prompted some colonies to question their right to self-governance. Britain recognized their efforts and granted some colonies greater autonomy after the war, marking a step toward eventual independence for several nations.

How Were the Soldiers Remembered

The contributions of the Indian army were often overshadowed compared to those of Australian, Canadian, and South African soldiers, and their role was largely overlooked in historical accounts. Recent efforts have begun to highlight the bravery of soldiers from across the Empire, ensuring their sacrifices are better recognized. Although the war was primarily fought in Europe, its global impact on people from diverse regions remains evident.