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Boy Soldiers of the Great War
After the outbreak of the Great War, boys as young as twelve were caught up in a national wave of patriotism and, in huge numbers, volunteered to serve their country. The press, recruiting offices and the Government all contributed to the enlistment of hundreds of thousands of under-age soldiers in both Britain and the Empire. On joining up, these lads falsified their ages, often aided by parents who believed their sons’ obvious youth would make overseas service unlikely.
These boys frequently enlisted together, training for a year or more in the same battalions before they were sent abroad. Others joined up but were soon sent to units already fighting overseas and short of men: these lads might undergo as little as eight weeks’ training.
Boys served in the bloodiest battles of the war, fighting at Ypres, the Somme and on Gallipoli. Many broke down under the strain and were returned home once parents supplied birth certificates proving their youth. Other lads fought on bravely and were even awarded medals for gallantry: Jack Pouchot won the Distinguished Conduct Medal aged just fifteen. Others became highly efficient officers, such as Acting Captain Philip Lister and Second Lieutenant Reginald Battersby, both of whom were commissioned at fifteen and fought in France.
In this, the final update of his ground-breaking book, Richard van Emden reveals new hitherto unknown stories and adds many more unseen images. He also proves that far more boys enlisted in the British Army under-age than originally estimated, providing compelling evidence that as many as 400,000 served.
These boys frequently enlisted together, training for a year or more in the same battalions before they were sent abroad. Others joined up but were soon sent to units already fighting overseas and short of men: these lads might undergo as little as eight weeks’ training.
Boys served in the bloodiest battles of the war, fighting at Ypres, the Somme and on Gallipoli. Many broke down under the strain and were returned home once parents supplied birth certificates proving their youth. Other lads fought on bravely and were even awarded medals for gallantry: Jack Pouchot won the Distinguished Conduct Medal aged just fifteen. Others became highly efficient officers, such as Acting Captain Philip Lister and Second Lieutenant Reginald Battersby, both of whom were commissioned at fifteen and fought in France.
In this, the final update of his ground-breaking book, Richard van Emden reveals new hitherto unknown stories and adds many more unseen images. He also proves that far more boys enlisted in the British Army under-age than originally estimated, providing compelling evidence that as many as 400,000 served.
376 pages, Paperback
Published December 1, 2021
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About the author
Richard van Emden
41 books33 followersRichard van Emden is a British author and television documentary producer who specializes in the First World War.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
January 28, 2022
In Boy Soldiers of the Great War we are taken to the First World War, also known as the Great War. A very bloody war, just think of the battle of the Somme.
The book tells the story of very young boys who fought in battle, boys who were sometimes only 16 to 18 years old. Sometimes even younger. It is estimated that the British army had 25,000 minors during the First World War. When conscription was introduced in 1916, this was more strictly enforced. However, the British government and army command nevertheless saw little in a proposal from a Liberal parliamentarian to let the boy soldiers go back home. When you read that about these boysoldiers, it’s hard to believe that the government allowed it.
It was also astonishing to read that some of the guys wanted to submit themselves and even gave a false name and age just to become part of The Great war. They did this without even informing their parents. Really unbelievable that this was possible at the time.
The author gives these young soldiers a kind of face. In each chapter you read the name of a young soldier and how and where he died. That alone makes you quiet, that makes an impression, and then you still have to start the chapter. The different chapters are all equally impressive, the personal stories, quoted from their correspondence, give a glimpse into their choices and struggles. It makes it personal.
The author Richard van Emden is a British author and television documentary maker specializing in the First World War. You could call his book Boy Soldiers of the Great War a life’s work. A lot of research, interviews with survivors, relatives, etc. The book is therefore very detailed, which takes a lot of patience and time to work out carefully. When you read the book like this you get the feeling that the author has left nothing to chance. Shocking details emerge: It is estimated that some 120,000 child soldiers served in the British army during the First World War. Richard van Emden relies, among other things, on the archives of the Commonwealth War Graves Foundation. They sent a form to the families of the killed soldiers asking, among other things, the age of the family member who had died. Many returned these forms.
In summary: A book that impresses, especially at the end where many names and ages are mentioned. You then make a moment of silence for them and for yourself. A book that is a must for those interested in the great war. A book where you learn a lot about the First World War and their boysoldiers
The book tells the story of very young boys who fought in battle, boys who were sometimes only 16 to 18 years old. Sometimes even younger. It is estimated that the British army had 25,000 minors during the First World War. When conscription was introduced in 1916, this was more strictly enforced. However, the British government and army command nevertheless saw little in a proposal from a Liberal parliamentarian to let the boy soldiers go back home. When you read that about these boysoldiers, it’s hard to believe that the government allowed it.
It was also astonishing to read that some of the guys wanted to submit themselves and even gave a false name and age just to become part of The Great war. They did this without even informing their parents. Really unbelievable that this was possible at the time.
The author gives these young soldiers a kind of face. In each chapter you read the name of a young soldier and how and where he died. That alone makes you quiet, that makes an impression, and then you still have to start the chapter. The different chapters are all equally impressive, the personal stories, quoted from their correspondence, give a glimpse into their choices and struggles. It makes it personal.
The author Richard van Emden is a British author and television documentary maker specializing in the First World War. You could call his book Boy Soldiers of the Great War a life’s work. A lot of research, interviews with survivors, relatives, etc. The book is therefore very detailed, which takes a lot of patience and time to work out carefully. When you read the book like this you get the feeling that the author has left nothing to chance. Shocking details emerge: It is estimated that some 120,000 child soldiers served in the British army during the First World War. Richard van Emden relies, among other things, on the archives of the Commonwealth War Graves Foundation. They sent a form to the families of the killed soldiers asking, among other things, the age of the family member who had died. Many returned these forms.
In summary: A book that impresses, especially at the end where many names and ages are mentioned. You then make a moment of silence for them and for yourself. A book that is a must for those interested in the great war. A book where you learn a lot about the First World War and their boysoldiers
February 4, 2022
Boy Soldiers of the Great War, written by Richard Emden, is a very interesting book about the First World War. When I first saw the title, I was immediately intrigued by the story behind it.
This non-fiction tells the story of the many young soldiers who fought in the First World War before the age of eighteen. Their stories make you stop reading and think how horrific this war was and marvel at the fact that it was allowed to happen that boys on such a young age could fight in this war. The book is characterised by the many details and photographs of the boys involved.
Definitely recommended for anyone who wants to know more about the First World War and especially about the soldiers who fought in it.
I reviewed a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.
This non-fiction tells the story of the many young soldiers who fought in the First World War before the age of eighteen. Their stories make you stop reading and think how horrific this war was and marvel at the fact that it was allowed to happen that boys on such a young age could fight in this war. The book is characterised by the many details and photographs of the boys involved.
Definitely recommended for anyone who wants to know more about the First World War and especially about the soldiers who fought in it.
I reviewed a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews