Public Schools and The Great War: The Generation Lost

by Anthony Seldon, David Walsh, Michael Howard (Foreword by)

Overview

In this pioneering and original book, Anthony Seldon and David Walsh study the impact that the public schools had on the conduct of the Great War, and vice versa. Drawing on fresh evidence from 200 leading public schools and other archives, they challenge the conventional wisdom that it was the public school ethos that caused needless suffering on the Western Front and elsewhere. They distinguish between the younger front-line officers with recent school experience and the older 'top brass' whose mental outlook was shaped more by military background than by memories of school.

The Authors argue that, in general, the young officers' public school education imbued them with idealism, stoicism and a sense of service. While this helped them care selflessly for the men under their command in conditions of extreme danger, it resulted in their death rate being nearly twice the national average.

This poignant and thought-provoking work covers not just those who made the final sacrifice, but also those who returned, and
whose lives were shattered as a result of their physical and psychological wounds. It contains a wealth of unpublished detail about public school life before and during the War, and how these establishments and the country at large coped with the devastating loss of so many of the brightest and best. Seldon and Walsh conclude that, 100 years on, public school values and character training, far from being concepts to be mocked, remain relevant and that the present generation would benefit from studying them and the example of their predecessors.

Those who read Public Schools and the Great War will have their prevailing assumptions about the role and image of public schools, as popularised in Blackadder, challenged and perhaps changed.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781473831698
Publisher:	Pen & Sword Books Limited
Publication date:	01/31/2020
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	336
File size:	11 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Anthony Seldon is Master of Wellington College, having previously been the headmaster of Brighton College. He has written or edited over 30 books, including the standard works on Prime Ministers John Major, Tony Blair and Gordon Brown. He is the authorised historian of 10 Downing Street, and has written extensively on it. He is co-founder of the Institute of Contemporary British History, and Action For Happiness. His next books are the authorised history of the British Embassy in Washington, a new book on 10 Downing Street, and a book on happiness and spirituality. David Walsh is the former Deputy Head of Tonbridge School and has taught in Australia. He is a published historical author. He leads battlefield tours. He lives at Oxted, Surrey.Anthony Seldon is Master of Wellington College, having previously been the headmaster of Brighton College. He has written or edited over 30 books, including the standard works on Prime Ministers John Major, Tony Blair and Gordon Brown. He is the authorised historian of 10 Downing Street, and has written extensively on it. He is co-founder of the Institute of Contemporary British History, and Action For Happiness. His next books are the authorised history of the British Embassy in Washington, a new book on 10 Downing Street, and a book on happiness and spirituality. David Walsh is the former Deputy Head of Tonbridge School and has taught in Australia. He is a published historical author. He leads battlefield tours. He lives at Oxted, Surrey.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements vi

Foreword Sir Michael Howard xii

Maps xiv

Introduction 1

Chapter 1 Public School Men 7

Chapter 2 Into Battle 1914-1916 38

Chapter 3 Ireland and the Dominions 66

Chapter 4 School Life during the War 85

Chapter 5 Headmasters and Teachers: the Toll of War 104

Chapter 6 The Eternal Bond 126

Chapter 7 To the End on Land, Sea and Air 1917-1918 153

Chapter 8 Armistice and Commemoration: No End to Conflict 183

Chapter 9 The War Becomes History 206

Chapter 10 The Lost Generation 234

Appendix: List of public schools war statistics 254

Notes 262

Bibliography 285

Public Schools Index 295

General Index 303