Sunday 27 October 2013

Industry in Swansea during the Great War

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.

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.

Wednesday 16 October 2013

Recruiting and conscientious objection

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...

Sunday 13 October 2013

The writing continues....

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).

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.