The Story of Chinese Labourers 2
History: KS3, topic 16.4.6
The Story of Chinese Labourers
Chinese labourers undertook many different tasks on the Western Front.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.