Alnwick in the Great War (Paperback)
Imprint: Pen & Sword Military
Series: Your Towns & Cities in The Great War
Pages: 160
Illustrations: 176
ISBN: 9781473827394
Published: 26th September 2016
Article
As featured by the Northumberland Gazette
(click here for international delivery rates)
Order within the next 6 hours, 30 minutes to get your order processed the next working day!
Need a currency converter? Check XE.com for live rates
Other formats available | Price |
---|---|
Alnwick in the Great War ePub (13.9 MB) Add to Basket | £6.99 |
As a market town and one of the seats of government of the county authority, Alnwick played a key role in the coordination of Northumberland’s war effort. With a wide rural hinterland, the town was considerably important in the production and dispersal of food, which was vital to the war effort. As the home of the Duke of Northumberland, the town had a hugely influential role in the overall Northumbrian war effort from civilian affairs to military recruitment.
The town shared a proud tradition of military service with the wider region, and this was reflected in the huge numbers of Alnwick men and women who came forward for service in the military or in roles such as nursing. The town was a regional recruitment centre and hosted its own unit of the 1/7th (Territorial) Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers, as well as other military units. From 1915, Alnwick was also one of the largest infantry training bases in the north of England. Many of the locally raised Pal’s Battalions, which were raised in the north, received their training here.
For those left behind in Alnwick, the war was a time of worry and hardship, however others saw the business opportunities. This book includes accounts of the struggle that local families faced in coping with rising wartime prices, longer working hours and endless worry, sometimes in the face of accusations of drunkenness or idleness from the authorities and unfair criticism of the rural districts’ recruiting record.
Despite these hardships, the people of Alnwick provided incredible charitable support right up until the end of the war, in addition to their normal efforts. Several military hospitals were set up in the town and surrounding area, with the training base later becoming a recuperation base for injured soldiers. These momentous efforts are explained throughout this compelling book, which is a testimony to the bravery, self-sacrifice and determination of the people of Alnwick during the Great War.
In summary, an excellent resource for people interested in residents of Northumberland in World War One, plus the units which passed through.
Army Rumour Service (ARRSE), Jean Sinclair
Read the complete review here.
As reviewed in
The Northumbrian
Although only 40 pages in all, this book contains a fascinating collection of facts, photos and facimilies concerning the famous Alnwick Camp and the Alnwick area.
Western Front Association
This series will be of equal interest to people who love reading about local history, and to the people of Alnwick as they learn about their townsfolk and how they coped during the Great War. The series should win an award.
Books Monthly, November 2016 – reviewed by Paul Norman
About Dr Craig Armstrong
Born and bred in Northumberland, Dr Craig Armstrong is an experienced historian,with a special interest in the history of the North East of England and Scotland. He works as a freelance author and has taught history at both Newcastle University and Northumbria University.