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Fight or Pay: Soldiers' Families in the Great War
The First World War is remembered largely for the immense sacrifice in life and limb of Canadian soldiers. In Fight or Pay, Desmond Morton turns his eye to the stories of those who paid in lieu of fighting – the wives, mothers, and families left behind when soldiers went to war. A pan-Canadian story, Fight or Pay brings to light the lives of thousands of valiant women whose sacrifices have been overlooked in previous histories. It is an incisive and honest look at the beginnings of a social welfare system that Canadians have come to think of as intrinsic to citizenship.
- GenresCanadaNonfictionHistory
Hardcover
First published September 1, 2004
15 people want to read
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February 28, 2025
Published in 2004 and read by me in 2025, this book tells the captivating story of how women led families survived during the Great War, in the early 19th century. At that time, men were typically the heads of the family, responsible for income, bills, farm work, and home maintenance. Most women lacked bank accounts or signatures on family accounts, leaving them unable to pay rent, utilities, groceries, or heating. Their lives changed drastically as soon as husbands or sons left to respond to the call for volunteers.
This situation arose as a result of Canadian’s experience with the British Army. Prior to the 19th century, wars were short and required few men. Women were not associated with battles or wars and only young men were included. Wars were fought by individual people, often monarchs. During the 19th century, wars began to be fought by the nation-state which had more power to tax and conscript. Wars needed more fighters and more money. The vast numbers of wounded died without medical care and resulted in families, farmers, factories and family businesses all complaining over loved ones and young workers. Canada first experienced this during the Boer War at the turn of the 19th to 20th century. The numbers were small, about 1500 men travelled to South Africa and more died of disease than war. Canada paid the same amounts to widow survivors as Britain paid. Unfortunately, costs required for widows and wounded in the United Kingdom were much lower (50% to 75%) than costs in North America.
Initially Canadians expected the war to be “over by Christmas” with earliest units to be back for New Year’s unless it was Christmas. The payers expected to again use British amounts for payments made to soldiers, including widows. Quickly, soldiers started dying and quickly the numbers grew. Equally quickly, widows began to complain that the amounts would not cover even one month’s rent let alone food, clothing, and heating. The government and army increased payments to a reasonable, if still below, comfort. After that, came larger amounts if children were involved: the more the children, the more the amount. After that, soldiers’ earnings were not enough to be split and allow some to be sent home. Again, the army and government agreed to a “separation allowance” that provided funding to a soldier’s spouse’s or co-habitants. Later, widowed mothers were also given pensions. As numbers of dead or physically damaged, later psychologically damaged and more exceptional types were identified and added to those receiving pensions.
Initially, there were two payers: the army for soldiers and the government for civilians. Chaos reigned as soldiers moved about physically and hierarchically; they changed army address frequently. Often their addresses moved making them hard to find. Civilians seemed challenged by the current army address and people helping them often had difficulty finding the correct John Smith. This was made worse by the presence of another payer the “Canada Patriotic Fund.” This handled the families associated with wounded veterans who had challenges earning due to combat injuries.
This book would interest people searching how Canadian soldiers and their families were treated during the Great War. It essentially tells how many different situations required fair financial resolution. Highly recommended for Canadians. Morton is a good writer. Despite the complexity of situations and finances, he manages to keep the overall picture in place allowing readers to understand where they are. Three stars
This situation arose as a result of Canadian’s experience with the British Army. Prior to the 19th century, wars were short and required few men. Women were not associated with battles or wars and only young men were included. Wars were fought by individual people, often monarchs. During the 19th century, wars began to be fought by the nation-state which had more power to tax and conscript. Wars needed more fighters and more money. The vast numbers of wounded died without medical care and resulted in families, farmers, factories and family businesses all complaining over loved ones and young workers. Canada first experienced this during the Boer War at the turn of the 19th to 20th century. The numbers were small, about 1500 men travelled to South Africa and more died of disease than war. Canada paid the same amounts to widow survivors as Britain paid. Unfortunately, costs required for widows and wounded in the United Kingdom were much lower (50% to 75%) than costs in North America.
Initially Canadians expected the war to be “over by Christmas” with earliest units to be back for New Year’s unless it was Christmas. The payers expected to again use British amounts for payments made to soldiers, including widows. Quickly, soldiers started dying and quickly the numbers grew. Equally quickly, widows began to complain that the amounts would not cover even one month’s rent let alone food, clothing, and heating. The government and army increased payments to a reasonable, if still below, comfort. After that, came larger amounts if children were involved: the more the children, the more the amount. After that, soldiers’ earnings were not enough to be split and allow some to be sent home. Again, the army and government agreed to a “separation allowance” that provided funding to a soldier’s spouse’s or co-habitants. Later, widowed mothers were also given pensions. As numbers of dead or physically damaged, later psychologically damaged and more exceptional types were identified and added to those receiving pensions.
Initially, there were two payers: the army for soldiers and the government for civilians. Chaos reigned as soldiers moved about physically and hierarchically; they changed army address frequently. Often their addresses moved making them hard to find. Civilians seemed challenged by the current army address and people helping them often had difficulty finding the correct John Smith. This was made worse by the presence of another payer the “Canada Patriotic Fund.” This handled the families associated with wounded veterans who had challenges earning due to combat injuries.
This book would interest people searching how Canadian soldiers and their families were treated during the Great War. It essentially tells how many different situations required fair financial resolution. Highly recommended for Canadians. Morton is a good writer. Despite the complexity of situations and finances, he manages to keep the overall picture in place allowing readers to understand where they are. Three stars
Displaying 1 of 1 review