Caption: A British soldier tending a war grave near Ypres, 1 October 1917. (Courtesy: IWM Q 6037)
About this talk: How did the soldiers of the Great War cope with the omnipresence of death? Were they inevitably traumatised? Did they become inured to death? The talk explores these issues in relation to whether the prevalent attitudes of the period to death and emotional expression helped or hindered any process of adaptation. It also examines the expectations of friendship prevalent at the time and compares them with today's expectations.
About this speaker: Dr Peter Hodgkinson is a clinical psychologist. Long interested in the Great War, he has an MA (2006) in First World War Studies from Birmingham University, and a PhD (2013) in Infantry Battalion Commanders.
Where we meet: We meet at the Royal British Legion Club, Queensway, Petts Wood, Orpington, Kent BR5 1DH. Meetings are held on the last Thursday of each month (except August and December). They start at 19:30, with the doors (and the bar) opening at 18:30. We do not charge entrance fees but do welcome donations of £5 or more towards our costs.
How to get there: The club is next to Morrison's supermarket and Petts Wood railway station (trains from Charing Cross, Cannon Street, and Victoria). Parking at the rear of the club is free but you need to enter your car registration into the machine (on the left as you enter the club). Failure to enter your registration can lead to a £50 fine. There's easy free parking in adjacent side streets