
Colchester in the Great War
Andrew Phillips(Author)
Pen & Sword Military (Publisher)
Published on 1. April 2017
Book
Paperback/Softback
190 pages
978-1-4738-6061-2 (ISBN)
Description
Few towns equalled Colchester in their role in the Great War. In this expert account, Colchester historian Andrew Phillips records four of the most dramatic years in the town's history. As Headquarters of Eastern Region, Colchester's garrison supplied many of the men who prevented the early defeat of France. The town then became a training area for at least 100,000 recruits. While training, guns on the Western Front could often be heard. At times Colchester's civilian population of 40,000 was equalled by 40,000 troops, who often billeted with local families or housed in large tent cities, which then became hut cities. With 20,000 troops to feed on average, long food queues became a daily experience until rationing was introduced, and soon thousands of requisitioned horses, trucks, artillery pieces and munitions were also assembled in the town. As the war took its deadly toll, Colchester became one vast hospital as the wounded arrived by train. An enlarged garrison hospital, an enlarged civilian hospital and six Red Cross Hospitals nursed at least 110,000 men. Colchester women made huge quantities of bandages, splints and gowns to alleviate the suffering of the war wounded.Colchester factories produced uniforms, guns, shells, mines, compressors and engines.
Paxman's, the largest firm of the town, produced a staggering 20 million precision-machined parts. Over 10 per cent of Colchester's adult men died in the conflict, the highest in eastern England and twice the national average. Small wonder the town built one of the finest civic war memorials in England.
Paxman's, the largest firm of the town, produced a staggering 20 million precision-machined parts. Over 10 per cent of Colchester's adult men died in the conflict, the highest in eastern England and twice the national average. Small wonder the town built one of the finest civic war memorials in England.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
South Yorkshire
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Pen & Sword Books Ltd
Illustrations
100 illustrations
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 156 mm
ISBN-13
978-1-4738-6061-2 (9781473860612)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Andrew Phillips
Colchester in the Great War
E-Book
01/2020
Pen & Sword Military
€11.76
Available for download
Person
Andrew Phillips is a local historian who has previously published eight books about Colchester and its history. He has been active in heritage initiatives in the town for many years, including the collection of oral history and historic photos. For thirty-four years he has published a monthly local history feature in the Essex County Standard. Now retired, he was formerly Head of Humanities at the Colchester Institute.