New Frontiers 2010-04-16 The Chinese Labour Corps in World War One (6)

The Chinese Labour Corps was a force of workers recruited by the British government in World War I to support the troops by carrying out dirty and arduous jobs. In many places under military control, Chinese workers were shut inside for long hours, even several days. They were no different from prisoners, even worse. They didn't have basic rights. Sometimes, they had no food for seven days and nights. The lucky ones had wild herbs and turnips to eat to stay alive. Starvation and disease claimed many lives.