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Michael Portillo

John Comerford

Alison Kreps

Railways of the Great War with Michael Portillo: Episode 5: Railways and Remembrance

Railways of the Great War with Michael Portillo

Episode 5

Episode 5: Railways and Remembrance

Railways and Remembrance

BBC Two - Railways of the Great War with Michael Portillo, Railways and Remembrance

Exploring how, even after the war had ended, the work of the railways was not over.

Michael Portillo examines the role of the railways in World War I. He reveals how even after the war had ended, the work of the railways was not over.

World War I was a railway war. Michael Portillo finds out how the railways helped to precipitate a mechanised war, shaped how it was fought, conveyed millions to the trenches and bore witness to its end. He takes to historic tracks to rediscover the locomotives and wagons of the war that was supposed to end all wars and hears the stories of the gallant men and women who used them in life and in death.

In this final episode, Michael explores the aftermath of this earth-shattering conflict. For four years, the railways had fed the front line with vast numbers of men, munitions and supplies. But even after the armistice had been signed in a railway carriage, the work of the railways was not done. As Britain continued to mourn its dead, the railways played an important part in their remembrance. Michael hears stories of railway war heroes and encounters a remarkable railway wagon used to honour them. He hears how the railways helped give birth to battlefield tourism, and in the cemeteries of Ypres he meets the great-grandchildren of some of the fallen.

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Michael Portillo examines the role of the railways in World War I.

Michael Portillo examines the role of the railways in World War I and travels through Britain and Europe uncovering stories from the Great War.

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