War broke out during the summer vacation, and about two thirds of the student population immediately mobilised. Those students remaining were split between Bede College, Durham, and St Peter's College, Saltley, Birmingham. In turn, the buildings at Culham were occupied by students from St Gabriel's College, Southward, whose premises had been requisitioned for use as a hospital for wounded soldiers.
Many of the items in this section of the collection relate to the work of the Culham Club, who were extremely active in supporting, and keeping in touch with, Culham students at the Front.
For further information on Culham during WW1 see Naylor & Howat (1982) at O32/2/PR1/2.