Uniquely in Britain, the government allowed possible exemption from conscription for those who objected to military service on grounds of conscience.

Although Britain and France had not gone to war to win new colonies, once fighting began they were willing to seize the colonies of their enemies.

In 1918 only one-third of women gained the vote. They were the more comfortably off. Is it still easier for middle-class women to involve themselves in feminist campaigns?

Dotted across the towns of northern France were maisons tolérées, or legalised brothels. Visits to French brothels by British soldiers were officially allowed.

When Europe went to war the so-called ‘great powers’ took their colonial subjects with them.