Looking to research experience of 'Old Contemptibles' 1915-18

[JesseM88]

Hello all.

I am looking to do some serious research on the experience of pre-war regulars/'Old Contemptibles' as the war progressed after 1914. This is sort of a medium-to-long term idea, most likely for a publication of some sort in late 2014 or 2015 through my research centre.

I am curious if there are any major publications on this topic, or something related? I can't seem to find many, or any, books/monographs. Specifically, I'm interested in exploring the following ideas (but not necessarily limited to these):

-Are there general trends to be found in the experiences of various 1914 veterans as the war progressed (ie. becoming NCO's in New Army units)

-What was the relationship like for old regulars in regards to 'new' soldiers

-Were old regulars sometimes (or often) given any kind of special treatment, given more opportunities for non-combat roles, etc.

-How did they adapt to post-1914 conditions in the British Army, ie. if most of their former regimental comrades were gone how did this potentially affect them (difficult to quantify, but potentially interesting nonetheless)

-How many survived the war

-If there is much of a historiography on this topic, what has been said, is there a need for reassessment, etc.

I realize this may seem rather broad, so if I had to narrow it down I would look at the experience of 'Old Contemptibles' who went on to become NCO's as the war progressed. As for now I am only interested in the British side of things, but I may have to shift the idea towards the Canadian context and look at the surviving men of the first overseas contingent (mostly 1st Division), which would be a different but still somewhat similar idea.

If this doesn't turn into an actual research project, I'd just be interested in the topic for purely personal interests. Thanks for any help pointing me in the right direction.

[Fattyowls]

Jesse, these are questions that have intrigued me for almost as long as I've had an interest in the Great War but I've never been able to summarise them as you have; nice work. You are certainly in the right place to ask as I am sure you know. I've always intended to start with Frank Richards' memoir "Old Soldiers Never Die" but although it's been recommended to me often something has always got in the way of me reading it (life mainly). It's risen to the top of my list as a result of Stoppage Drill's use of it together with Sassoon and J C Dunn's memoirs to propose Aylmer Haldane as "The General" in Sassoon's poem of the same name.

http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=23601&hl=

You may have already read Richards' book; but if not he seems to tick all of the boxes, going through the whole war without serious injury. I'll be following this thread with keen interest.

Pete.

[Fattyowls]

I've been wracking my brains to remember the other WW1 classic that seems to fit in with your questions; "There's A Devil In The Drum" by John F Lucy. Lucy rose from the ranks to be commissioned unlike Richards.. From what I can see some people think it's superior to the Richards book. Suffice to say it's yet another one on my list I'm going to have to read very soon.

[Guest]

This might be useful Click

Mike

[Jim Hastings]

Hi Jesse

Could I also suggest 'A Sergeant- Major's War, From Hill 60 to the Somme' by Ernest Shephard - he was a pre-war Regular with 1st Dorests who did not deploy with his Bn in 1914 as he was a recruiting Sgt, but joined them early in 1915 and was soon made a CSM. He was commissioned in 1916 but killed shortly afterwards. His diary entries readily give a Regular's view of the war and its development

Pete has already mentioned Lucy and Richards. There is also Edward Roe's diary , 'From Mons to Baghdad 1914-19' (not read this one, but has good reviews)

Good luck with your research

Jim

[JesseM88]

Some great suggestions in here guys, thanks a lot!

[sotonmate]

Jesse

I have a simple offer which you might want to include in your material. A photograph of the plaque to the Old Contemptibles which adorns a wall alongside the Southampton Dock Gate through which passed many thousands of the soldiers heading to war in France and Flanders.

If you wish for a copy please PM me your e-mail.

[Fattyowls]

Jesse, you may already have seen this as it is tagged but just in case you haven't.....

http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=190942&hl=

Lots of good stuff in it I think.

[Staffsyeoman]

I seem to remember this has already been done in part by Dr Diana Henderson - formerly a Lt Col in the TA Royal Logistics Corps, and also a solicitor in Scotland; she specialised in soldiers' experiences with a focus on Scotland. I remember at a conference in Edinburgh nearly twenty years ago (on WW2 incidentally) where she noted that Old Contemptibles interviewed in the 1970s had an amazing amount of detailed recall for 1914, but then it tended to blur.