Dr Jo Costin, author of 'The Cambridgeshire Kitcheners', will be giving a talk on the Cambridgeshire Home Front during the First World War entitled: 'Answering the Manpower Question in Cambridgeshire'.
'Lord Kitchener Needs You' was the cry. But even in the opening months of the war, concerns were expressed about the impact of indiscriminate recruiting, especially on local farms. Early recruiting meetings sometimes asked men not to come forward before the harvest was in. This was a tension that continued throughout the war, especially during the conscription period. However, even before this there was a drive to ensure all areas and occupational classes made sacrifices for the war effort. Using evidence from census records, voter lists, local newspapers and stories, this talk will explore the tensions surrounding recruitment and the work of the Military Service Tribunals to show how Cambridgeshire addressed the manpower question. Dr Costin is an acknowledged expert in this field.
Copies of Jo's excellent book will be available for purchase on the evening.