The Great War, the British Soldier's Perspective
Looking around your bedroom, you get lost in thought at the decisions you're faced with, and the life that you may have to leave behind. You've called this room home your entire life. The four walls are lined with the memories of a happy childhood. The words echo in your head, as though you are speaking to someone else - as if pouring your troubled thoughts out to some invisible person, in a desperate search for answers...
I'm the son of a proud British family. I'm only 17, but, I know all about the rumors of war. In fact, all I have ever known were rumors of wars that never came to be. I can't believe it is finally happening. In every paper, and every classroom, the savage nature of the German people is made clear. They intend to conquer us and invade our lands. They've already invaded Belgium and the stories of what they are doing to the Belgian people are horrifying. Their greed and lust are insatiable. It is clear that the war drums that are beating this time are for real. This is no rumor and, surely, the allied nations will be victorious! Still, I have never been far from home. My teachers and parents all say that it is the duty of all able bodied men of Britain to stand up and fight to defend king and country - to fight for the invaded and besieged, as well. Some of my friends insist that it will be an adventure. Everyone is sure that it will be over quickly. I'm sure I'll be fine, but, I hardly think it will be an adventure. It must be the right thing to do, but, that doesn't mean that I want to do it. We didn't ask for this war... but, it is clear that we must fight to protect ourselves. Still, how can I make this decision? I'm barely seventeen and it seems that I am faced with making significant life-altering choices, already. I had always imagined that I'd get married soon, and begin my life as an adult right here, in the town where I grew up - not rush off to war. Still, every pretty girl I see on the street is like a walking explosive device. It used to be that I could shoot them a glance and see if they would make eye contact - see if the cute guys seemed to take interest in me. Now, I have to desperately avoid eye contact in fear of being perceived as an adult and getting "white feathered." I'm not even old enough to enlist, legally! What a world.
I'm the son of a proud British family. I'm only 17, but, I know all about the rumors of war. In fact, all I have ever known were rumors of wars that never came to be. I can't believe it is finally happening. In every paper, and every classroom, the savage nature of the German people is made clear. They intend to conquer us and invade our lands. They've already invaded Belgium and the stories of what they are doing to the Belgian people are horrifying. Their greed and lust are insatiable. It is clear that the war drums that are beating this time are for real. This is no rumor and, surely, the allied nations will be victorious! Still, I have never been far from home. My teachers and parents all say that it is the duty of all able bodied men of Britain to stand up and fight to defend king and country - to fight for the invaded and besieged, as well. Some of my friends insist that it will be an adventure. Everyone is sure that it will be over quickly. I'm sure I'll be fine, but, I hardly think it will be an adventure. It must be the right thing to do, but, that doesn't mean that I want to do it. We didn't ask for this war... but, it is clear that we must fight to protect ourselves. Still, how can I make this decision? I'm barely seventeen and it seems that I am faced with making significant life-altering choices, already. I had always imagined that I'd get married soon, and begin my life as an adult right here, in the town where I grew up - not rush off to war. Still, every pretty girl I see on the street is like a walking explosive device. It used to be that I could shoot them a glance and see if they would make eye contact - see if the cute guys seemed to take interest in me. Now, I have to desperately avoid eye contact in fear of being perceived as an adult and getting "white feathered." I'm not even old enough to enlist, legally! What a world.