Queen and Country: Same-Sex Desire in the British Armed Forces, 193945 (Gender in History MUP) by Emma Vickers

by Emma Vickers

The first study of its kind in the UK, Queen and country examines the complex intersection between same-sex desire and the British Armed Forces during the Second World War. It illuminates how men and women lived, loved and survived in an institution which, at least publicly, was unequivocally hostile towards same-sex activity within its ranks. Queen and country also tells a story of selective remembrance and the politics of memory, exploring specifically why same-sex desire continues to be absent from the historical record of the war. In examining this absence, and the more intimate minutiae of cohesion, homosociability and desire, this study pushes far beyond traditional military history in order to cast new light on one of the most widely discussed conflicts of the twentieth century.

Paperback

First published October 22, 2013

Reviews

[Katia M. Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was well researched with an excellent bibliography but I was still a little disappointed. One of the main draws of this for me was the testimony from veterans. Unfortunately, the author was only able to secure interviews with 10 or 11 people despite a blanket call out to the public including newspapers and radio. It made me quite sad to think that veterans either did not want to speak up even if they could remain anonymous, or that the living memory is dwindling. Still, this book offered a good review of attitudes and experiences but it would have been far more valuable with a greater number of voices. I would recommend this to others.

[Iñaki Tofiño · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who said that there was no homosex in the British Armed Forces during II World War? With date from personal interviews and archive research, Emma Vickers traces the prevalence of sex between men, how it happened, why it was tolerated, and what happened in the UK once the war was over. Extremely interesting.

[Shanti Boyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the narrative historical lens. It acknowledged the anomalies while still respecting the "liberal" mindset of the British Armed Forces.