Between Two Worlds: A Study of the Letters, Diaries and Reminiscences of Some Otago and Southland Soldiers in the Great War

Abstract

This thesis is an attempt to gain some understanding of the First World War as experienced by the ordinary New Zealand trench soldier. It is not a military or political history of the War but is rather, the story of the men in the ranks. It seeks to understand with what assumptions and hopes young men of New Zealand entered the European War; what they encountered ad Gallipoli and the Western Front; what they thought about the issues such as discipline, the nature of the War, the causes they fought for, their enemy, their fellow fighters, themselves as New Zealanders, Britain as the Imperial heartland and the home front of New Zealand. Finally, changes brought about in their thinking by their War experiences is examined.

Keywords: Great War; First World War, History

JEL Classification: Z00