Armageddon 1914: How Some Devon Newspapers Reported the Outbreak of War

Robert Hesketh


Region:
South West
Notice Period:
Short (maybe less than one month's notice)
Type:
Professional
Fee:
Paid: £45 (£50 after 1/1/19) plus 30p per mile travel each way to venue
Category:
History
Updated:
5th January 2018

This talk is based on a close study of some Devon newspapers – principally the Western Times and the Express and Echo – from late June to late August 1914. It shows how the fateful events that lead from the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand on June 29 to the outbreak of war and the battles of August were reported. News of the Home Front – especially key issues such as recruiting, food hoarding and the requisition of horses – are contrasted with the (heavily censored) news from the Fronts. Editorials and readers’ letters give a strong flavour of a crucial moment when the course of European history was altered forever.

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About Robert Hesketh

Formerly a teacher, I am a freelance writer and photographer with a strong interest in local history (my first degree subject). To date, I have published 70 Devon, Dorset, Cornish and Somerset titles (see www.roberthesketh.co.uk) and written numerous illustrated articles for The Countryman, Dartmoor Magazine, Country Walking and other publications. I also contribute West Country landscape and people photographs to photographic libraries, see www.picfair.com . Since 2002, I have been giving talks to local history clubs, Women’s Institutes, societies, U3A and Probus Clubs on Devon themes

Please contact me if you would like further details or to offer me a booking. All the talks are illustrated with high resolution digital images and last between 45 minutes and an hour, depending on what the audience wants. Questions from the audience are always welcome. I can supply the projector, laptop, projection stand and projection screen. Alternatively, I can offer all my talks on Zoom. To see my profile please visit my website www.roberthesketh.co.uk

Adrienne Hesketh (my better half) is a talented musician who also gives talks and live performance. She plays piano and recorder and her contact details are the same as mine. She also sings and dances and has her own website www.adriennehesekth.com

Charges: £60 plus 40p per mile travel each way from Bovey Tracey. (No mileage charge for Zoom talks).


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