Exeter played a vital role during the First World War supplying men for the Army and raising funds to help troops overseas. The Mayoress and her team played a key part collecting money to aid homeless Belgian refugees in the city while also supporting other worthy causes both home and overseas. Soldiers travelling through Exeter all received food, refreshments and cigarettes due to the money raised. The city had its own battalion, 'Exeter's Own' and thousands of servicemen passed through the city on their way to northern Europe. Players at Exeter City football club were amongst the first to join the Colours and later the Footballers' Battalion (the 17th Battalion Middlesex Regiment).

The effect of the war on Exeter was great. By the end of the conflict, there wasn't a family in Exeter who hadn't lost a son, father, nephew, uncle or brother. There were tremendous celebrations in the streets as the end of the war was announced but the effects of the conflict lasted for years to come.