The First World War saw many changes to Derbyshire that helped shape
what the county is today. This book details the human experiences,
thoughts, concerns, fears and hopes of the county during one the most
important periods of its history. All aspects of civilian life are
featured, including the run up to war and the reaction to its outbreak;
the recruitment of men to the forces and the eventual conscription; the
efforts of those who could not fight; industry and the munitions
factories, where workers built the weapons and tools that helped win the
war; the impact on agriculture and the role of farmers in feeding the
nation; food shortages and rationing; the role of women; the role of the
county in helping wounded servicemen and providing comforts and funds
for those overseas; Belgian refugees; conscientious objectors and an
alleged plot to kill the Prime Minister; anti-German feeling, hostility
to Germans living in the county, and prisoners of war; civil defense and
a Zeppelin raid that brought destruction and fear. For the first time in
its history, the people of Derbyshire realized that the horrors of war
were not confined to overseas battles but they could be witnessed and
experienced in their own neighborhoods.
