Research on the forty six Old Maidstonians who died as a result of The Great War

INTRODUCTION

With our advantage of hindsight we are very surprised by the fact that when war was declared by numerous countries in early August 1914, the news was received by all sides with jubilation: cheering in the streets, ringing of bells and a tidal wave of volunteers enlisting to join up and support the cause. Why was there this outbreak of joyous celebration at the outbreak of what we know became such a cataclysmic conflict?

Tension had been building in Europe in the early twentieth century, and talk of conflict was common-place, with incidents in Bosnia 1908-9, the Balkan War of 1912 and another in 1913 being viewed as possible sparks to what many believed was the looming general European conflict. Consequently all major countries had been preparing their military, and public opinion, for what many were predicting as the inevitable clash. Such preparations included the seeking of Allies; even Great Britain the ‘super- power’ of the nineteenth century, with their industrial dominance, and an overseas Empire that covered one quarter of the worlds land mass, came out of its ‘Splendid Isolation’ in 1902 signing a treaty with Japan. This was quickly followed by the Anglo-French Entente in 1904 and a treaty with Russia, three years later. By this time Europe was divided into two armed camps with the Triple Entente of Britain, France and Russia facing the Triple Alliance of Germany, Austro-Hungary and Italy. Both camps felt ready for war after implementing massive rearmament programmes, ranging from: the much heralded Naval Race between Britain and Germany with its race to build as many of the new, revolutionary battleships, aptly named Dreadnoughts! Also, France and Russia had pumped resources into reviving their military prestige following humiliating defeats that had seriously dented their nationalistic egos: France defeated by Prussia in 1870-71, and Russia by Japan 1904-5. Even Britain had faced military embarrassments in the Boer War of 1899-1902 which had led to a chorus of demands for a more efficient and forward looking military machine. Such pressure culminated in Lord Haldane’s military reforms which included the creation of the Officer Training Corps (which became the CCF). This Arms Race meant all countries were confident of victory and were eager to illustrate, and justify, their military preparations and expenditure. Also the military experts predicted that the impending conflict would be a short, sharp war – why? The European railway network meant men and munitions could be moved far more rapidly. Also, the lesson of the last two European arm- wrestles between major powers (the Austro-Prussian War of 1866 and the Franco-Prussian War 1870-1) was that the outcome of modern warfare was determined by one, quick advance. Also, technological developments in telegraphs and telephones helped convince the relevant authorities that orders would be distributed quickly, culminating in decisive action. Such changes cemented the view that wars in Europe would be short, and that taking the initiative, and having the element of surprise, would be of crucial significance to the outcome. Such belief is epitomised by statements issued by both sides at the beginning of the war; the British people were told at the outbreak of war that “it would be over by Christmas”; and the German Kaiser, Wilhelm II, told his subjects that German soldiers would return “before the leaves fall from the trees”. Such statements were based on genuine conviction rather than part of their respective propaganda machines. As we know, sadly this expectation of a quick victory did not materialise; this so-called ‘first industrialised war’, between two of the industrial heavyweights of the world, Britain and Germany, and their respective allies, would rage for over four years, and incur an enormous social, economic, political and military cost.

Patriotism had intensified throughout Europe in the nineteenth century, de