August 1914: By Rtn. Colin Gash

A Talk Commemorating the Start of the First World War


Not quite sure why I am doing this, although  I know I offered ! I know that our Rotary members sometimes  give talks on topics but I have never heard one so I am not sure exactly what is expected but I decided after researching a lot about the war and particularly at this centenary time that even if you knew it all it was worth restating

 

My research was to do with a trip that I and some family members made earlier this year following the route of my grandfathers campaigns in Flanders and the Somme . The research was interesting using War Office, National Archive and Regimental records and it made for an enlightening and poignant trip earlier this year . Over the last couple of months there have been some really good TV programs and articles , and there are a host of excellent books available .

 

Perhaps others here have done something similiar .

 

Its significant to live through a centenary of such a major event  but it went on for over 4 years and I hope the centenary events continue for the duration . It should do as that war reshaped the world and then led to the next war which was even more encompassing .

 

I want to give a high level overview of what was happening and what occurred locally , nationally and  internationally and concentrate on August 1914 , the ensuring few months and just the Western front as that was the area where that our troops were mostly engaged in 1914  

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