Soldiering On: British Tommies After the First World War

Soldiering On explores how the Lost Generation adjusted to civilian life, struggled to find jobs, and communicated with their families after returning from the trenches of World War I. It highlights the injustices they bore and celebrates their heroism.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 09 September 2019
Publisher: The History Press Ltd

A month after the Armistice, Prime Minister David Lloyd George made a promise to transform Britain into a "land fit for heroes." At the time, there was a widespread belief that returning soldiers deserved to be treated with dignity and recognition for their service. However, the lofty words of 1918 were not matched by actions. The following years saw little change, as a lack of political will watered down any reform. Beggars in trench coats became a common sight in British cities. Soldiering On delves into the experiences of the Lost Generation as they transitioned to civilian life, grappled with physical and mental disabilities, and struggled to find employment or even maintain communication with their families. This is the story of men who survived the trenches only to be forgotten when they returned home. Drawing on first-hand accounts, Adam Powell traces the lives of veterans from the first day of peace to the onset of the Second World War, highlighting the numerous injustices faced by ex-servicemen while also celebrating the heroism they displayed in the face of a world that was too quick to forget.

Weight: 422g
Dimension: 158 x 231 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780750991476