Homecoming Heroes

by PeterReese (Author)

• Used

  Hardcover
  1991

  $3.26

  This book recounts the experiences of the British veteran through the centuries together with an account of the attempts, both private and public, to help him re-enter civilian society. It is a highly moving story of culpable neglect, national disinterest and brilliant improvization. If a man's going for a soldier had long been thought of as a disgrace, even in working class families, he was, if anything, held in even lower regard when returning from such service. From the time of the 100 years war when soldiers coming back from France were given the sternest of welcomes, until the 1871 Cardwell Reforms, the old soldier was not expected to get a worthwhile job. If he were exceedingly lucky he might find a place in Chelsea Hospital (sailors could go to Greenwich) but he was far more likely to be granted a small pension and would then have to look for a job with the Volunteer or Regimental Establishments or some other minor post. After spending the larger part of his protracted service in a far flung Empire he returned as a stranger to his own land. Even when short service engagements were instituted he still experienced major difficulties of re-assimilation. After World War I, during the terrible years of depression, the hardships of Kipling's regulars were transferred to a whole generation of citizen soldiers and despite relatively full employment at the end of World War II and beyond, Britain has continued to be much less generous to men answering the call to arms than other Western countries. It is hoped that the high calibre personnel returning from today's forces are capable of finding a genuine place in society. In the author's judgement one thing remains certain, as ex-servicemen they will continue to experience difficultues of re-integration. In the past it was left to individual reformers to make good the absence of official arrangements, those who had a greater conscience for men who risked all for their country. They constitute a remarkable and varied group. In prime place stands King Charles II with his creation of Chelsea Hospital, some maintain as a result of Nell Gwyn's entreaties, then after the Seven Year's War, John Manners, Marquis of Granby, almost beggered himself by helping his one-time comrades set up pubs, many of which bear his name today. Almost 100 years later Edward Walter, younger brother of the proprietor of The Times , formed his own uniformed army of commissionaires, ex-servicemen who could gain employment by guarding and carrying for civilian organization. In the latter part of 19th century another group of benefactors appeared. General E.F. Chapman set up by the first major employment bureau, the Regular Forces Employment Association, Colonel James Gildea founded the soldiers and Sailors Families Association to help right a national disgrace, the treatment of wives when their men were away fighting, and Princess Christian headed the soldiers and Sailors Help Society and Lord Roberts Workshops, which became the pioneer in disabled employment. After World War I there followed the great membership body for all ex-servicemen, the British Legion, vision of their Commander-in-Chief in France, Douglas Haig. The book deals in detail with the story of this movement and its work.