World War 1 saw many companies having to adapt in order to support the country, and P&O was no exception. Here, we take a look at the role of P&O in WW1, and how important their ships were during this time.
The role of P&O ships in WW1
When Britain joined WW1 in 1914, it was obvious to those at P&O that things were about to change significantly. With ships being able to play such an important part in transporting both goods and troops, it’s unsurprising that the Government had taken account of all British ships and their locations so that they knew what was available to them. This made perfect sense, as it was far more practical to requisition ships than to spend time and money building new ones. Within just a couple of weeks of Britain declaring war on Germany, around half of the P&O fleet had been commandeered. Those that remained saw amendments to routes and schedules to keep passengers, crews, and ships as safe as possible whilst maintaining vital supply lines.
The role of P&O’s people in WW1
It wasn’t only the ships that had a vital role in WWI, the people working both on board and ashore were very important too. Of course, P&O encouraged their employees to act patriotically by volunteering, and guaranteed that their jobs would still be waiting for them on their return. Crew members who put themselves at risk to remain at the company during this time were vital to its success too, and everyone played their part in ensuring that crew and passengers remained safe during sailings.
Safely supporting the moving of goods today
Maintaining the safety of passengers and crew is still at the forefront of P&O Ferries’ vision today, and everything is actioned with this in mind. At the moment, the threat of coronavirus (COVID-19) is having an unprecedented impact on both Britain and the rest of the world, but the company is doing what it can to ensure that goods are still being safely transported in and out of the country. With social distancing and extra cleaning measures in place to keep freight drivers, and those travelling for essential reasons, safe on board, P&O Ferries are working hard to maintain crucial links between Britain and mainland Europe during this difficult time.
To learn more about the role of P&O in WW1, take a look at P&O Heritage’s informative exhibition: Our War at Sea. Immerse yourself in a collection of fascinating facts, images, and quotes whilst gaining insight into an important part of P&O’s history. You might also be interested in their Lost Lascars feature which looks at the story behind the Lascars memorial in Dover.
