Page from WW1 Scrapbook Collection, Jack Cornwell

Category

Library Item

Item no

30104

Title

Jack Cornwell Day

Description

A page from a World War One scrapbook (vol 2) showing newspaper coverage of 'Jack Cornwell Day': British schoolboys honour the memory of the boy V. C. who died at the post of duty in the Jutland Battle.

Artist / maker

Unknown

Date

1917

Size

27.5 x 22.0 cm

Type

Document; Press cutting

Location

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

Jack Cornwell died aged 16 after serving only one month at sea. He died a naval hero after suffering mortal injuries at the Battle of Jutland in May 1916. Cornwell was held up as an example to young boys and girls as a model of obedience, selflessness and honour and 30 September 1916 was marked in British schools as Jack Cornwell Day.

This image is taken from the 2nd of 2 scrapbooks compiled during World War One by the Thomson Family who were living at Glengyle Terrace in Edinburgh. Most of the items pasted into the scrapbooks are press cuttings, leaflets and ephemera but a couple of articles, such as letters and a ration book, give personal details and an indication of the impact of war on the family. Many of the letters of correspondence are sent to Thomas Thomson. Thomas Davidson Thomson was only 3 years old at the outbreak of war and so, his parents must have collated and maintained the scrapbooks, which span the full period of the war, on his behalf.

Read history as it happened with free access to the Scotsman Digital Archive.

Exhibitions with this item

Other views of this item

Related images

Related subjects

Events > Wars > Wars

Events > Wars > World wars

People > Children > Schoolchildren

People > Military activities > Cadets

Toys > Crafts > Scrapbooks