World War 1 school talks at State Library of Queensland

The days leading up to ANZAC day have been busy at State Library as staff hosted eight Year 9 history classes from Brisbane State High School for tours of the building and an opportunity to see and handle some World War 1 heritage collections.

Dozens of interesting original manuscript collections were arranged in the Fox Family White Gloves Room on Level 4, and students donned white gloves so they could examine the objects and papers.

Material included service medals, photographs, letters and diaries, recruitment pamphlets and posters, and many other documents around the themes of conscription, anti-conscription, training, experiences at the Front and the aftermath of the conflict.

As the students will soon undertake a history unit about World War 1, Military Collections Curator Simon Farley explained some of the particular collections held in the John Oxley Library, and how they help to provide a detailed picture of the Queensland experience of the War.

Robyn Hamilton - QANZAC100 Content Curator, State Library of Queensland