Nursing on the Front line

Recently stumbled across the diary of a Swansea nurse that was serialised in a local newspaper during the Great War. She was nursing wounded Serbian soldiers (they were on our side!) when the Austrian army over-ran her base and captured her and a number of other medical staff.

After a series of hardships she was eventually released into the care of the Swiss, Switzerland then being a neutral country.

I've actually managed to make contact with the nurse's family and am hoping to receive some photographs in the near future. Another story for the book!

'Swansea in the Great War' - book cover agreed!

Here is the cover of my forthcoming (2014) book. The back page blurb is yet to be agreed.

Book cover for 'Swansea in the Great War' approved...

I approved the book cover design as devised by Pen and Sword Books today.

Its a photograph of High Street with the (now gone) Cameron Hotel to the fore. Above this is a small montage of Great War scenes, depicting the war on land, sea and in the air.

Quite neat and I'm very pleased with it. Just got to write the book now...by 30 November 2013!

Plodding through the 1916 press...

Researching tomorrow and looking at the Cambrian newspaper for 1916. Seeing what I can pick up from the microfilmed papers that will help inform my forthcoming book on Swansea in the Great War.

This past of the 'job' is a hard, slow plod...but it has to be done!

Writing 'Swansea in the Great War'...

So, how long does it take to write a factual book on Great War Swansea?

Not as long as it takes to research it!

I'm allowing three months (part-time) to complete the book (about 35,000 words plus numerous images) between September and November this year. But I've been researching it in the local archive service and library since January 2013. At least five hours a week and sometimes more plus 'armchair' research via the web.

I've also made some appeals for info and have visited people to see what they hold as well as receiving info via e-mail and post.

Still some way to go but well on target!

Conscientious Objectors (COs) - how were they picked up?

In 1916 all eligible men were deemed to have enlisted under the Military Service Act. It was then just a case of waiting for your call-up papers. But what if you were a CO?

Most COs simply ignored the papers and then, assuming they didn't hide themselves away, they would eventually get a visit from the local bobby (unlike the scene in the recent TV drama 'The Village' where two Military Policemen turned up to grab a chap who had not rejoined his unit).

The local bobby would arrest you and bring you before the local magistrates. Assuming it was proven that you had received and ignored your call-up papers you would normally be remanded in custody while awaiting a military escort.

After that you would be taken to a barracks, usually ordered to put on a uniform and, if you refused, you would be subjected to a court martial as you were now considered to be subject to military law. A prison sentence would usually follow and on release frequently the same process would kick in again...

Swansea Fishing Fleet

Swansea was a major port when war broke out in 2014. So what happened to the Swansea fishing fleet during the war?

A large part of the fleet was requisitioned by the Admiralty and then used as a mine-sweeping force. Several were sunk by enemy mines or U-boats.