'Fear and Courage in Trench Warfare' by Peter Hodgkinson
Fear is natural in war, but the demand for courage is remorseless. What was the experience of the British soldier of fear, and were the social restrictions on its expression helpful or harmful? Similarly, did the traditional model of manliness and heroism prove something that was helpful to live up to? Were those born in the late Victorian era handicapped by expectations of behaviour, or did they possess an advantage in contrast to modern methods of dealing with stress?
Peter Hodgkinson is a Chartered Clinical Psychologist, who has over 30 years of experience in providing assessments in a medico-legal setting. With his professional background, one of Peter’s main interests is in both the individuals who fought and the ways in which they coped. He is also a military historian and author specialising in the First World War. He has an MA in First World War Studies from Birmingham University, and a PhD in Infantry Battalion Commanders.
This meeting will be held in Cobham. Members of The Western Front Association and non-members are equally welcome. We ask for a modest £5 donation on the door. This includes tea, coffee and biscuits at the break (before the Q&A session with the speaker).
Members joining us at Cobham can use our new cashless card system and use their credit card/phone with the new reader that will be available at the signing-in desk.
To help make things easier and safer, we are asking those coming to Cobham to bring their own mug for coffee or tea.
Peter’s talk starts at 8pm. Doors open at Cobham at 7:15pm and the meeting starts at 7:45pm.
The photo shows soldiers of the 1st Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers in the Sunken Lane near Beaumont-Hamel on the 1st July 1916. © IWM IWM FLM 1673