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...
Wednesday, 16 October 2013
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.
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.
Friday, 13 September 2013
Aliens in Swansea!
No, its not a sci-fi alarm.
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.
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...
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.
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...
Wednesday, 4 September 2013
Swansea in the Great War
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).
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!
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!
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!
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!
William Fuller VC
With a little bit of luck I shall be providing an interview to BBC Radio on how William Fuller won his VC. I've just written 2,600 words on the man and his exploits for my 2014 book 'Swansea in the Great War'. That said the BBC slot is only about 4 minutes long so some word reduction will be required!
Media interest in 1914-1918 is growing...
Media interest in 1914-1918 is growing...
Wednesday, 21 August 2013
Swansea VCs of the Great War
Interesting to see that the Government intends providing the birth place of every Great War VC winner with a memorial paving stone in remembrance of the winnner.
In the case of Swansea there is, of course, William Fuller VC and George Prowse VC. Fuller VC lived in the town until his death in 1974 and is buried in a local cemetery. Prowse VC was killed in action and his body lost in the subsequent fighting. His widow remained in Swansea until at least the late 1920s.
Under the Government scheme neither man will be remembered in Swansea as both were born elsewhere. It is very difficult to determine exactly which town 'owns' particular VC winners as people frequently 'moved around' so I suppose place of birth is pretty definite, even if the man subsequently lived elsewhere.
In the case of Swansea there is, of course, William Fuller VC and George Prowse VC. Fuller VC lived in the town until his death in 1974 and is buried in a local cemetery. Prowse VC was killed in action and his body lost in the subsequent fighting. His widow remained in Swansea until at least the late 1920s.
Under the Government scheme neither man will be remembered in Swansea as both were born elsewhere. It is very difficult to determine exactly which town 'owns' particular VC winners as people frequently 'moved around' so I suppose place of birth is pretty definite, even if the man subsequently lived elsewhere.
Monday, 19 August 2013
Let the writing commence...
The research for 'Swansea in the Great War' is about 95% complete and I'll be starting the writing this evening while mopping up the odd bit of outstanding research as I go along. Just the 35,000 words to go then!
The book will cover the home front e.g. recruitment, conscientious objection, fund raising for soldiers comforts, hospitals and nurses, the effect of the war on industry, the treatment of aliens, Belgian refugees etc. It will also contain vignettes from the front whether on land, sea or in the air as experienced by the men (and women) of Swansea.
Interested? The book should be out in autumn 2014 and if you wish to express a possible interest (no obligation, of course) add a comment here ideally with an e-mail address and I'll add you to the update list.
Bernard Lewis
The book will cover the home front e.g. recruitment, conscientious objection, fund raising for soldiers comforts, hospitals and nurses, the effect of the war on industry, the treatment of aliens, Belgian refugees etc. It will also contain vignettes from the front whether on land, sea or in the air as experienced by the men (and women) of Swansea.
Interested? The book should be out in autumn 2014 and if you wish to express a possible interest (no obligation, of course) add a comment here ideally with an e-mail address and I'll add you to the update list.
Bernard Lewis
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