Chelmsford in the Great War

Viac o knihe

By the end of the Great War in 1918, Chelmsford had 1,791 men serving in the army or navy, with 392 not returning. This narrative explores the lives of those left behind, including munitions workers, special constables, VADs, shopkeepers, magistrates, councillors, conscientious objectors, teachers, and school children, as well as Brenda, the St Bernard dog who collected funds for the British Red Cross. The story begins in 1914 when the outbreak of war transformed the optimistic town, with army camps and airfields established nearby. Thousands from the South Midland Divisions and the Lowland Division trained in Chelmsford, forging lasting friendships despite local ties to the Essex Regiment. Major firms like Marconi's and Hoffmann's shifted to munitions production, creating a demand for skilled labor that conflicted with the need for soldiers. As conscription began, the local military tribunal struggled to maintain balance until women's roles in the workforce were acknowledged. Civic leadership faltered amid challenges such as billeting, air raids, food shortages, and rationing, leading to an overabundance of committees. Ultimately, Chelmsford emerged from the war intact and proud of its significant, if understated, contribution to the national war effort.