tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80077582630916327832024-03-05T00:35:20.001-08:00Swansea in the Great WarAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06566301296874638706noreply@blogger.comBlogger57125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007758263091632783.post-77587771715239187242014-09-15T16:31:00.000-07:002014-09-15T16:31:22.784-07:00'Swansea in the Great War' - where can you buy it?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
'Swansea in the Great War' is now in print (paperback, 224 pages and 200 images) though copies are currently sitting in a warehouse in Barnsley, home of Pen and Sword Books...<br />
<br />
I understand that it will start to appear in the local bookshops in early October. Pen and Sword books don't usually seem to appear in W.H. Smith for some reason, though Waterstones do stock them. It'll be with the on-line book sellers too, at what price I don't know.<br />
<br />
I'll be selling copies in the Civic Centre, Swansea (County Hall) between 13.15 and 16.30 on Wednesday 22 October, first come, first served (contact me via this site if you wish to reserve a copy or copies for collection on the day).<br />
<br />
The book retails at £12.99 but I'll be selling it for £10.<br />
<br />
I'll also be selling the book for a tenner at the Swansea Local History Book Fair at Swansea Museum on Saturday 25 October 2014 between 10.00 and 16.00. Again, first come, first served and get in touch to reserve a copy...<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06566301296874638706noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007758263091632783.post-20782809880578039782014-08-19T16:44:00.001-07:002014-08-19T16:45:16.485-07:00Worth a look on Monday 25 August 2014...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b04fpy63">http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b04fpy63</a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06566301296874638706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007758263091632783.post-76846593438005169742014-08-11T16:08:00.002-07:002014-08-11T16:08:57.420-07:00The Long, Long Trail...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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‘The Long, Long Trail’ was a popular song of the Great War era.</div>
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I have been travelling down my own ‘long, long trail’ for over a year now though the end is finally in sight. Today the ‘final’ proofs of ‘Swansea in the Great War’ arrived in the modern manner – no longer sent as large pages via Royal Mail but now as a low-res PDF attachment to an e-mail!</div>
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The main task is to check that the page numbers inserted into the index actually match the page numbers that the index entries appear on. So a small, but important, part of the process.</div>
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I plan to turn that around in a day or two after which its back to the publisher’s and then off to the presses for an early October publication! Phew!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06566301296874638706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007758263091632783.post-44831254120412681072014-07-05T08:01:00.000-07:002014-07-05T08:02:10.725-07:00Here endeth the Blog...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
This blog was set up to gather interest and information relevant to Swansea in the Great War, as I researched for a book. As the finished work is now with the publisher (prior to publication in October 2014) the need for the blog has essentially passed. Any new information is, I'm afraid, too late for inclusion on the publication though please contact me with your stories - they are always of interest.<br />
<br />
For that reason there will be very few updates appearing here until the book comes out.<br />
<br />
You can see more about me at:<br />
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<a href="http://bernardlewisauthor.wordpress.com/">http://bernardlewisauthor.wordpress.com/</a><br />
<br />
And I also have this site under development...<br />
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<a href="https://swanseabattalion.wordpress.com/">https://swanseabattalion.wordpress.com</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg75Ko7lXjiOtkNLJNb_R2PJtG-xXNEljpz-22bTDwTM_FjWXRuzP1X1Yt_Ze-sccIsdWSRjTWziGESA4BKtOr-3SURtDb4S7mMdX_ASWu8w7ToZnJHG8R5Eg524ZKe4ZJ2InGJYSluWYgv/s1600/XBBC05TawetheBulldogand+Groupwordpress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg75Ko7lXjiOtkNLJNb_R2PJtG-xXNEljpz-22bTDwTM_FjWXRuzP1X1Yt_Ze-sccIsdWSRjTWziGESA4BKtOr-3SURtDb4S7mMdX_ASWu8w7ToZnJHG8R5Eg524ZKe4ZJ2InGJYSluWYgv/s1600/XBBC05TawetheBulldogand+Groupwordpress.jpg" height="216" width="320" /></a></div>
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Feel free to get in touch with any information or comments!<br />
<br />
Bernard Lewis<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06566301296874638706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007758263091632783.post-41726151623376727472014-06-02T15:36:00.001-07:002014-07-05T07:46:03.550-07:00First proofs received...the checking commences.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The first proofs for 'Swansea in the Great War' arrived from the publisher today and I (and my wife!) need to check them very carefully. Even with modern day computer techniques there is plenty of room for error when e.g. the images are inserted into the text for the first time. The images obviously have to appear in the right places and accompanied by the right captions - not alway as easy as it sounds in a 228 page document!<br />
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After the first proofs are checked they go back to the publisher for correction and then the second and final proofs come back to me so that I (yes, I) can complete the index. Getting published is an enjoyable if hard slog!<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06566301296874638706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007758263091632783.post-91517172735595723582014-06-02T15:31:00.000-07:002014-06-02T15:31:03.533-07:00Book launch in October 2014!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
It has been confirmed that 'Swansea in the Great War' will be launched at the Civic Centre in Swansea before an invited audience on 22 October 2014. Both the Lord Lieutenant of West Glamorgan and the Lord Mayor of Swansea have indicated that they will be in attendance, with the Lord Mayor kindly providing light refreshments for guests.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06566301296874638706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007758263091632783.post-49914104427252797142014-05-17T05:40:00.000-07:002014-05-17T05:40:18.491-07:00Great War Swansea - TV documentary<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I have been contracted to act as adviser/researcher to BBC Wales for its forthcoming documentary on Great War Swansea.<br />
<br />
I met with the producer this week and, as part of the contract, I am providing the Beeb with material from my forthcoming book, Swansea in the Great War, which will be published in October 2014. The documentary will be fronted by Eddie Butler and will be a half hour in length.<br />
<br />
The BBC will also be looking at issues that I may not have covered though I suspect that my content will save them a lot of digging in the archives! <br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06566301296874638706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007758263091632783.post-18464902025763204492014-05-02T02:39:00.004-07:002014-05-02T02:39:42.339-07:00Interest in the Great War centenary...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Unsurprisingly the amount of interest in the centenary is rising fast. In recent years I have given the occasional talk on the Swansea Workhouse or the Swansea Pals to local history societies.<br />
<br />
In the next 12 months or so I am giving talks on Swansea in the Great War at Swansea Museum (twice), two libraries in Swansea, Swansea U3A, Newton WI, the Bynea and Llwynhendy history society, Blackpill History Society, Swansea Probus Club, Neath U3A and one or two others...<br />
<br />
I don't charge a fee for local societies (Swansea/Neath area in the main) but instead ask for a modest donation to a local charity of my choice.<br />
<br />
Hopefully the high interest will translate into book sales once 'Swansea in the Great War' hits the shops in October! I don't suppose JK Rowling is trembling in her boots, though...</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06566301296874638706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007758263091632783.post-43450831508747013252014-04-19T12:26:00.001-07:002014-04-19T12:26:48.305-07:00First public talk...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I gave my first public talk on `Swansea in the Great War` to the Oystermouth Historical Society on Thursday. Good turn out and the talk seemed to go down well as two attendees booked me for a talk to their organizations.<br />
<br />
I didn't charge a fee but accepted a donation for a local charity. And they kindly gave me a bottle of red! More talks booked for the coming months...busy time ahead and book to be published early October.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06566301296874638706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007758263091632783.post-57706669371580029832014-04-11T16:12:00.000-07:002014-04-11T16:12:39.373-07:00Media interest..?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
BBC Wales have commissioned two half hour programmes, each one to focus on a Welsh community in the Great War. One of the towns is Swansea and I have been approached to see if I would want to contribute to the programme in some way.<br />
<br />
Production begins in early May and is estimated to take six weeks to complete from research to editing.<br />
<br />
I might be able to help though, after sweating blood for a year on 'Swansea in the Great War', any efforts on my part have to be made worthwhile by the BBC. Not keen on handing over my research for a 'token gesture' on the part of the BBC! <br />
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We'll see...<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06566301296874638706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007758263091632783.post-60888980707818841332014-02-18T10:38:00.000-08:002014-02-18T10:38:01.545-08:00Evening Post article today...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
An article I wrote a while back was re-featured today by the Evening Post as part of its ongoing Great War coverage.<br />
<br />
It was the story of Captain John Stanley Strange and his service in the Swansea Battalion.<br />
<br />
There will be more articles in the Post as the months go on to August 2014.<br />
<br />
NOTE: NOT ALL THE ARTICLES THAT APPEAR IN THE POST ARE INCLUDED IN THE BOOK!<br />
<br />
I CAN'T DRIP FEED THE UNPUBLISHED BOOK TO THE NEWSPAPER...<br />
<br />
Bernard Lewis<br />
18 February 2014 </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06566301296874638706noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007758263091632783.post-38642342176208060812014-02-14T10:02:00.002-08:002014-02-14T10:02:37.926-08:00Swansea in the Great War<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Draft book now being proof read prior to publication in October 2014.<br />
<br />
I will be contributing occasional articles on Swansea in the Great War to the South Wales Evening Post in the coming months though some of those will be stories which didn't quite make it into the book. If anyone has any queries or is interested in getting a copy of the book when published, contact me here!<br />
<br />
Bernard Lewis<br />
14 February 2014</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06566301296874638706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007758263091632783.post-42409843087164319432014-01-11T10:34:00.001-08:002014-01-11T10:34:26.773-08:00Off to the publisher!!!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
'Swansea in the Great War' (81,000+ words and 243 images) goes off to Pen and Sword Books on Monday, 13 January 2014, for publication in October 2014.<br />
<br />
Too late for new information now but if you think you'd be interested in the book please send me a message via this blog.<br />
<br />
Feet up for a bit now!<br />
<br />
Bernard Lewis</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06566301296874638706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007758263091632783.post-23356288342210024742013-12-19T08:49:00.001-08:002013-12-19T08:49:54.714-08:00The final lap...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
All stories now sorted, chapters defined and intro written. Its now just down to a final edit, indexing, choosing the images (about 200 of them) and writing the captions. Not counting at present but in excess of 80,000 words.<br />
<br />
A writer's lot is not (always) a happy one...its been a hard, but enjoyable, slog. Almost ready to send off the final draft to the publisher by 6 January 2014 for publication in October 2014.<br />
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'Swansea in the Great War'...out next year!<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06566301296874638706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007758263091632783.post-17227849814609121752013-12-08T09:48:00.001-08:002013-12-08T09:50:00.964-08:00DORA...its not a lady!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
DORA was the Defence of the Realm Act 1914 (with a few subsequent amendments).<br />
<br />
It gave the Government a lot of powers over the lives of the citizens of Britain. Public, factory, and shop etc. lighting in some parts of the country had to be dimmed to minimise the risk of German Zeppelin airships using the lights as a guide as to where to drop their bombs. It was also forbidden to sketch in some parts of Swansea - the docks and Mumbles being examples. One chap was arrested at Mumbles when it was realised that he'd been drawing the fort...he might be a spy!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06566301296874638706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007758263091632783.post-75042159995856109912013-12-04T09:10:00.000-08:002013-12-04T09:10:56.315-08:00'Swansea in the Great War' - chapters decided upon...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Now up to about 60,000 words (and I've got lots of illustrations, too) on 'Swansea in the Great War' which will be published in October 2014 and the chapter topics have been decided on as well.<br />
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They are (apart from the usual acknowledgements, introduction etc.,):<br />
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Recruiting and Conscientious Objection; The Treatment of Foreign Aliens; Medical Services in Swansea; The effect of the War on Industry; The Problem of Food Supply; Women and the War; Relief Efforts for those at Home or at the Front; Tales from the Front (Swansea's two VC winners; other short stories on those who served on land, on sea or in the air); Swansea's Foreign Legion; The War According to Captain Blackadder; Remembrance.<br />
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Now in the final stages of writing and correcting.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06566301296874638706noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007758263091632783.post-50184074458887551302013-11-25T15:27:00.000-08:002013-11-25T15:28:35.616-08:00Swansea airmen in the Great War<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Just writing a short chapter on the above. Several Swansea men downed (and killed) by enemy action or air accident including one man - who had been at the front for exactly one week - who had the misfortune to run into 'The Red Baron', Germany's famous fighter ace who had already claimed over 40 'kills'. There could, sadly, be only be one outcome from that encounter...<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06566301296874638706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007758263091632783.post-19718780999966791712013-11-18T11:52:00.001-08:002013-11-18T11:52:28.683-08:00Publication date agreed!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I am now up to about 60,000 words written on 'Swansea in the Great War' and still a little way to go. Loads of illustrations, too.<br />
<br />
The publisher plans to publish the finished work on 1 October 2014.<br />
<br />
So back to the writing - I have to complete the draft by early January 2014...<br />
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06566301296874638706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007758263091632783.post-10237398260154191132013-11-07T16:17:00.002-08:002013-11-07T16:18:37.135-08:00Swansea's foreign legion...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
...not exactly. But a surprising number of lads who used to live in Swansea came back to fight for the 'old country'. They came from overseas with Canadian, Australian, South African, Canadian and American units. Not spotted any New Zealanders as yet. A number paid the ultimate price for their patriotism...<br />
<br />
A number of them will have their stories told in 'Swansea in the Great War'.<br />
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06566301296874638706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007758263091632783.post-47294622375640922192013-11-01T11:56:00.000-07:002013-11-01T11:56:04.718-07:00Belgian refugees in Swansea, 1914<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Writing about the above at present. Great welcome by the people of Swansea for over 700 Belgian refugees who arrived at Swansea having fled their native country due to the German invasion. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06566301296874638706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007758263091632783.post-8002742138546854822013-10-27T06:11:00.000-07:002013-10-27T06:12:55.426-07:00Industry in Swansea during the Great War<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Currently writing about the effect on the Swansea docks of restricted trade, the U-Boat menace and industrial unrest as prices rise faster than wages. Also about the munitions factories that were set up in the South Wales area.<br />
<br />
Several female Swansea munitions workers (known as 'munitionettes' or 'canaries' since their skin often turned yellow due the the chemicals handled in armaments production) were killed in explosions at these works.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06566301296874638706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007758263091632783.post-66628253308773712832013-10-16T15:41:00.000-07:002013-10-16T15:41:27.971-07:00Recruiting and conscientious objection<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Just completing a chapter on the above for the book. Writing up one objector who wouldn't fight but was prepared to do civilian work under the direction of the Government; another who joined a Friends Ambulance unit - he'd help the wounded but not fight; and one who refused to fight or do other work and so ended up in Wormwood Scrubs...</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06566301296874638706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007758263091632783.post-51750315910308044382013-10-13T16:19:00.000-07:002013-10-13T16:19:46.841-07:00The writing continues....<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Refreshed after two weeks in sunny Crete I have now written about 25,000 words out of a target of 35,000 for my forthcoming book 'Swansea in the Great War' (Pen and Sword Books, 2014).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've now added chapters on food rationing in Swansea 1914-18, medical services and the role of women. About to start a hefty chapter on recruitment and the treatment of conscientious objectors. </span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06566301296874638706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007758263091632783.post-85732086442982825942013-09-13T15:25:00.000-07:002013-09-13T15:25:11.999-07:00Aliens in Swansea!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
No, its not a sci-fi alarm.<br />
<br />
Rather, its about what happened to enemy 'aliens' (basically foreigners) who happened to be in Swansea when war broke out in 1914. Assuming they were, e.g. German or Austrian, they would probably be regarded as potential enemies and would be subject to internment for the duration of hostilities.<br />
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Typically they were sent to a camp on the Isle of Man and remained there for, in some cases, as long as 5 years. Carl Oscar Roth was one such man having been born in Dresden but working in Swansea in 1914 (he had his own sausage skin making business). Off he went to the camp...<br />
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06566301296874638706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007758263091632783.post-75575333044205451092013-09-04T16:23:00.000-07:002013-09-04T16:23:18.010-07:00Swansea in the Great War<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I have now started writing 'Swansea in the Great War' and have to get the work to Pen and Sword Books by 30 November 2013 (for publication late 2014).<br />
<br />
I've completed about 8,000 words (out of a target of 35,000) in the last 2 weeks so am on target though these things always take longer than planned!<br />
<br />
So far I've written about a Swansea man at the Battle of Coronel, one on board a Q-Ship (trapping U-Boats), winning a VC (William Fuller) as well as the Englishman (living in Swansea) who joined the Swansea Battalion as a private, ended up as a captain, and won a Military Cross and a Distinguished Service Order for his bravery. Oh, and he ended up as a prisoner of war and got outside the prison camp walls on two occasions (but was recaptured), turning back on a third attempt after he risked being shot! </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06566301296874638706noreply@blogger.com0