Book description
In the early days of the First World War, Lord Kitchener made his
famous appeal for volunteers to join the New Army. Man flocked to
recruiting offices to enlist, and on some days tens of thousands of
potential soldiers responded to his call. Men had to be at least
eighteen years old to join up, and nineteen to serve overseas, but in
the flurry of activity many younger boys came to enlist: some were
only thirteen or fourteen. Many were turned away, but a lot were
illegally signed up, and at least 250,000 under-age boys found
themselves fighting for King and Country in the First World War. In
this groundbreaking new book, John Oakes delves into the complex
history of Britain's youngest Great War recruits. Focusing on a school
cricket team, all eleven of whom volunteered, he reveals why boys
joined up, what their experiences were and how they survived to endure
a lifetime of memories. For those who didn't, an unknown grave
awaited. In some cases, their mothers never knew what had become of
their children.
