First World War Folk Tales

First World War Folk Tales gathers legends and folk traditions that emerged during and around the conflict of 1914–1918. Its stories show how experiences shaped by war could pass into folklore, with fragments of truth becoming legends as they were retold by soldiers, families and communities.

Alongside the historical setting, the collection considers why people create stories to explain mysterious events and difficult experiences. These accounts offer a folkloric view of the First World War, showing storytelling as a way of making sense of fear, loss and uncertainty, while preserving the imaginative traditions that grew around one of the defining events of the 20th century.