Colchester in the Great War

Nonfiction, History, Military, World War I, British
Cover of the book Colchester in the Great War by Andrew Phillips, Pen and Sword
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Andrew Phillips ISBN: 9781473860636
Publisher: Pen and Sword Publication: January 31, 2017
Imprint: Pen and Sword Military Language: English
Author: Andrew Phillips
ISBN: 9781473860636
Publisher: Pen and Sword
Publication: January 31, 2017
Imprint: Pen and Sword Military
Language: English

Few towns equalled Colchester in their role in the Great War. In this expert account, Colchester historian Andrew Phillips records four of the most dramatic years in the town’s history.

As Headquarters of Eastern Region, Colchester’s garrison supplied many of the men who prevented the early defeat of France. The town then became a training area for at least 100,000 recruits. While training, guns on the Western Front could often be heard.

At times Colchester’s civilian population of 40,000 was equalled by 40,000 troops, who often billeted with local families or housed in large tent cities, which then became hut cities. With 20,000 troops to feed on average, long food queues became a daily experience until rationing was introduced, and soon thousands of requisitioned horses, trucks, artillery pieces and munitions were also assembled in the town.

As the war took its deadly toll, Colchester became one vast hospital as the wounded arrived by train. An enlarged garrison hospital, an enlarged civilian hospital and six Red Cross Hospitals nursed at least 110,000 men. Colchester women made huge quantities of bandages, splints and gowns to alleviate the suffering of the war wounded.

Colchester factories produced uniforms, guns, shells, mines, compressors and engines. Paxman’s, the largest firm of the town, produced a staggering 20 million precision-machined parts.

Over 10 per cent of Colchester’s adult men died in the conflict, the highest in eastern England and twice the national average. Small wonder the town built one of the finest civic war memorials in England.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Few towns equalled Colchester in their role in the Great War. In this expert account, Colchester historian Andrew Phillips records four of the most dramatic years in the town’s history.

As Headquarters of Eastern Region, Colchester’s garrison supplied many of the men who prevented the early defeat of France. The town then became a training area for at least 100,000 recruits. While training, guns on the Western Front could often be heard.

At times Colchester’s civilian population of 40,000 was equalled by 40,000 troops, who often billeted with local families or housed in large tent cities, which then became hut cities. With 20,000 troops to feed on average, long food queues became a daily experience until rationing was introduced, and soon thousands of requisitioned horses, trucks, artillery pieces and munitions were also assembled in the town.

As the war took its deadly toll, Colchester became one vast hospital as the wounded arrived by train. An enlarged garrison hospital, an enlarged civilian hospital and six Red Cross Hospitals nursed at least 110,000 men. Colchester women made huge quantities of bandages, splints and gowns to alleviate the suffering of the war wounded.

Colchester factories produced uniforms, guns, shells, mines, compressors and engines. Paxman’s, the largest firm of the town, produced a staggering 20 million precision-machined parts.

Over 10 per cent of Colchester’s adult men died in the conflict, the highest in eastern England and twice the national average. Small wonder the town built one of the finest civic war memorials in England.

More books from Pen and Sword

Cover of the book The Life of Henrietta Anne by Andrew Phillips
Cover of the book The Battle of Marne 1914 by Andrew Phillips
Cover of the book American Airline's Secret War in China by Andrew Phillips
Cover of the book Square Rigger Days by Andrew Phillips
Cover of the book Fight the Good Fight by Andrew Phillips
Cover of the book Portrait of a Bomber Pilot by Andrew Phillips
Cover of the book SS Leibstandarte Adolf Hitler (LSSAH) at War 1939 - 1945 by Andrew Phillips
Cover of the book Lord Esher by Andrew Phillips
Cover of the book A Haven in Hell by Andrew Phillips
Cover of the book Victory in the Falklands by Andrew Phillips
Cover of the book Very Special Ships by Andrew Phillips
Cover of the book MIG Menace Over Korea by Andrew Phillips
Cover of the book Voices in Flight: Path Finder Force by Andrew Phillips
Cover of the book Ultra Versus U-Boats by Andrew Phillips
Cover of the book The Great Edwardian Naval Feud by Andrew Phillips
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy