VC's of the First World War - 1914 by Gliddon, Gerald

Phoenix Mill 1997, Sutton, ( Budding Books ) UK reprint edition, hard bound in dust jacket, Fine/Fine condition, 7 x 10, prof. illus, bibliog, index.-------------------------------------------------Accounts of every award of the Victoria Cross during 1914, the first year of the Great War. With the assassination in Sarajevo of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in June 1914, the tinder-dry tensions that had smouldered throughout Europe for many decades finally burst into flames. The first gunshots of war that rang out five weeks later heralded the dawn of a cataclysmic conflict that would ultimately claim millions of lives and lay waste vast tracts of land across Europe.During the opening four months of the war no fewer than forty-six soldiers from the British and Commonwealth armies were awarded the highest award for gallantry, the Victoria Cross. In a series of fascinating biographical portraits Gerald Gliddon here examines the dramatic events surrounding each individual action that led to the award of this most coveted of medals, as well as exploring the widely differing social backgrounds of the recipients – ranging from the back streets of Oldham to the suburbs of the Home Counties – and recounting the postwar experiences of those who survived.--------------------------------------------------Whatever the social background or rank of the individual serviceman, the common denominator was valour above and beyond the call of duty. It is a sad irony, therefore, that many of those who gave so much for their country – and who survived – were later to fall on hard times, often dying of ill health or in poverty. Some survivors were fortunate enough to enjoy long and fulfilled lives after the war, but for the majority their Victoria Crosses certainly did not ensure a free ticket to health, wealth and happiness in a `land fit for heroes'.The book is arranged chronologically in order to provide a fresh perspective on the opening stages of the First World War and is illustrated with over 150 photographs and drawings, many of which are here published for the first time.