Product Description

In 1914, the British Army fielded an Expeditionary Force of seven divisions totalling 150,000 men in support of France and Belgium. From these modest beginnings over seven million men eventually volunteered or were conscripted, nearly a million of whom came from the Empire and Dominions. Andrew Rawson covers the men who fought for Britain from the 'Old Contemptibles' (the professionals who checked the Germans in 1914) to the Territorials, Kitchener's 'New Army' and 'Derby's Men', the conscripts who eventually defeated the Kaiser's armies five years later. The impressive contributions made by the Dominions and the Empire are also examined. Aspects of doctrine, training, communications, strategy and tactics are explored together with divisional organisations and histories and the roles of the different Arms and Services. All aspects of the soldier's everyday life are investigated, including uniforms, personal equipment, weapons, vehicles, trench life, supply, rations, leave and military discipline. Personalities, both commanders and prominent veterans, and the legacy in fiction, poetry and film are discussed. Information on remembrance, cemeteries and sites of interest is also provided, making this an indispensable guide to Britain's Army of the First World War.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #390293 in Books
• Published on: 2006-05-18
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 384 pages

About the Author
ANDREW RAWSON is a self-employed civil engineer. His previous books include Loos - Hill 70 (2002) and Loos - Hohenzollern (2003) in Pen & Sword's 'Battleground Europe' series. Currently working on Walcheren and Remagen for this series, Andrew lives in Skipton, North Yorkshire.

Customer Reviews

Great War-great book!
As many readers are aware, the British Army of 1914 was comparatively small and ill-equipped for the war it was about to fight, however from those modest beginnings and in what really was a comparatively short period of toime, it grew into a much larger, better equipped and well trained organisation, that soon became the most effective fighting force in the field at that time. This larger Army with almost seven million men was now much more complex than it had ever been in its entire history.

This volume - one of several in a series from this specialist publisher, provides the reader with an excellent insight into this unique army during the Great War period and covers just about every aspect of its operation and organisation from conscription and training, equipment , vehicles and weapons through to tactics and communication and so much more. I personally found the section on divisional organisation and histories useful and I am sure the part pertaining to sites of interest and remembrance will be invaluable to those visiting the battlefields today.

In fact, military historians, family history researchers, militaria collectors together with anyone with even the slightest interest in the Great War will find this splendid publication provides fascinating reading and an invaluable source of reference for the future too. Many will agree with me, that it is a must have in their collection or library and will therefore want to go on an read other titles in the series.

A good concise reference book
The evolution of the British Army from 1914 to the November 1918 armistice is one of the remarkable and often understated elements that led to victory in the Great War. By 1918 it was the single most effective army in the field (those of France and Russia having mutinied, Germany being to all intents and purposes defeated, and USA not having reached its operational potential and still learning the harsh lessons of industrial warfare).
This book shows how the British Army embraced change, technology and new thinking and all the organisational demands that followed. It expands on the many administrational and logistical structures necessary to keep the front line soldier fed, equipped and fighting. There is no doubt that failure to give these elements due attention contrived to contribute to the French and Russian problems.
This book gives a very good overview of the aspects that contributed to victory. It is not a mass of facts and figures but structured introductions to each subject that invite you to discover more. Therefore for the researcher it is a good launching pad to check, and for the general reader a good overview of the Army and its development.
A small criticism is the indexation could have been more detailed, so enabling the finding of information easier. For example a search for Fodder or Petrol consumption yields nothing, but the information is found under Rations.
Otherwise a recommended book and a useful addition to any great War collection.


Michael McCarthy
Editor, "The Battle Guide"
Guild of Battlefield Guides.