16.4.6

The Story of Chinese Labourers 2

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The Story of Chinese Labourers

Chinese labourers undertook many different tasks on the Western Front.

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What did the Chinese labourers do?

  • By 1917, the first Chinese recruited by Britain arrived in France.
  • The labourers undertook many different tasks on the Western Front.
    • The majority were involved in 'unskilled' work like digging trenches.
    • They were seen as very adaptable.
    • More skilled labourers were involved in maintaining tanks, repairing motorcycles, artillery and railway lines.
    • They were very capable workers and became specialists in many of these jobs.
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Preparations for the battle of Cambrai

  • The Chinese labourers were heavily involved in the preparations for the battle of Cambrai.
  • They helped to prepare the tanks for the battle.
    • In total, they prepared 474 machines and built 110 tank towed sledges to transfer the machinery to the front line of the battle.
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Discrimination

  • Despite the vital work the Chinese undertook on the Western Front, they were discriminated against.
    • Such as having their heads shaved, being kept segregated from the British troops and often experiencing racism.
    • They were regularly housed in huts far from the British and even their hospitals were sealed off from other troops.
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Leaving the Western Front

  • The Chinese were some of the last to leave the Western front.
  • They were involved in clearing the area after the fighting had ceased following the armistice in November 1918.
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Chinese deaths

  • It is estimated that nearly 3,000 Chinese labourers died during their employment during the First World War.
    • This could be much higher as very few are remembered on official memorials.

Jump to other topics

1Empires East & West: 1000 AD

1.1The Rise & Fall of Ancient China’s Empire

1.2The Medieval Greatness of the Byzantine Empire

1.3The Golden Age of the Islamic Empire

1.4The Politics & Power of the Holy Roman Empire

1.5Medieval Religion

1.6The Influence of the Church in Medieval Times

1.7How Religion Tested the Power of Kings

1.8Dynastic Challenges to Medieval Monarchs

1.9Challenges to Medieval Monarchs

1.10Revolts, Rebellions & Rights

1.11Medieval England & Her Neighbours

1.12European Renaissance

1.13Norman Conquest & Control

1.14Historical Skills

2The Medieval World: 450-1450 AD

2.1Anglo-Saxon England

2.2The Contest for the English Throne

2.3Conquering the Holy Land, 10-96-1396 AD

2.4King John

2.5The Magna Carta & Parliament

2.6The Black Death

3Worldviews

4The Empire of Mali: 1076-1670 AD

5The Renaissance & Reformations: 1500-1598 AD

6The British Empire: 1583-1960 AD

7The Peasants' Revolt: 1381 AD

8Religion in the Middle Ages

9Slavery: 1619-1833 AD

10The English Civil War: 1642-1660 AD

11The Industrial Revolution: 1750-1840 AD

12US Independence: 1775-1783 AD

13The French Revolution: 1789-1815 AD

14The British Empire: 1857–1930 AD

15Suffrage: 1840-1928 AD

16World War 1: 1914-1918 AD

17The Inter-War Years: 1919-1939 AD

18World War 2: 1939-1945 AD

19The Cold War: 1947-1962 AD

20Civil Rights in the USA: 1954-1975 AD

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