City Libraries, City of Gold Coast

Boy soldiers of the Great War, Richard Van Emden

eng

Adult

Boy soldiers of the Great War

Richard Van Emden

At the outbreak of the First World War, boys as young as thirteen were caught up in an overwhelming tide of patriotism and, in huge numbers, cheerfully joined up for active service. Many were to serve in the bloodiest battles of the war. Some were unable to stand the strain of trench life and, often through the intervention of their parents, were sent home, while others won medals for gallantry or became highly efficient officers. Here their stories are told, using diaries and letters and the personal testimonies of the last survivors