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
- Tagged:
- Great War | History | Home Front | Local History
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.
Views: 1572 | Enquiries: 0About 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).
Other Talks on SpeakerNet by Robert Hesketh
- Smuggling in Devon: The Truth Behind the Fiction
- Devon's Festivals
- Devon Place Names
- Surnames in Devon and Beyond
- Devon Inns
- Devon Ghosts
- Haunted Pubs in Devon
- A Curious Look at Devon Churches
- Devon Photoquiz
- Devon's Geology: an Introduction
- 1918: The Last Hundred Days: How Some Devon Newspapers Reported the Final Stage of the War
- Devon Castles
- Devon's Railway Heritage
- Exploring Exeter's Heritage
- Devon Land and Sea Piano Presentation
- Devon Composers
- Christmas Themed Presentation
- Christmas Traditions Around the World
- Halloween Themed Musical Presentation
- St. George’s Day/Shakespeare Themed Presentation
- Valentine Themed Musical Presentation
- Spring Concert (piano, recorder and singing)
- Exeter's Tudor and REgency Buildings
- Exploring Plymouth's Heritage
- Weirdest Buildings of the West Country
- Christmas Photoquiz
- Dartmoor Myths and Legends
- The Story of Devon's Bridges
Send a message to the speaker
If you are interested in this talk and wish to contact the speaker, please complete the following form: