How the Black Country went to war in 1914
A presentation in two parts
“Oh, what a bostin war!” – Mobilisation & Recruitment in the Black Country in 1914This illustrated presentation examines the military reaction to the outbreak of the Great War in the Black Country. Were people really excited to have a ‘pop at the Kaiser’? Did thousands of eager young men immediately ‘rush to the colours’, afraid they might miss out on all the fun? Why did they really join up? What are the myths and what was the reality?
“Over by Christmas?” Black Country Civilians and the Outbreak of the Great War. Examines the reactions of Black Country civilians to the outbreak of war in 1914. Was it ‘business as usual’ on the Home Front, or did war-hysteria sweep across the region? Did the war bring out the best, or the worst, in local people? What happened to ‘foreigners’ living in the area? When did local people fully grasp the impact of total war? This talk challenges many of the myths we all still believe about the first six months of the Great War.