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Questions and Answers
What is a common experience shared by all teenage soldiers in World War One?
What is a common experience shared by all teenage soldiers in World War One?
- The test of physical and mental endurance (correct)
- The comfort of authority from adult leaders
- The joy of camaraderie
- The chance for adventure without consequences
What was a significant motive for many boys to volunteer for the war?
What was a significant motive for many boys to volunteer for the war?
- Expectation of financial stability
- Pressure from family obligations
- Patriotic fervor or seeking adventure (correct)
- Desire to earn a college scholarship
What age range did boys need to be to technically enlist in the army?
What age range did boys need to be to technically enlist in the army?
- 14 years and older (correct)
- 12 years and older
- 18 years and older
- 16 years and older
What does the phrase 'doomed procession' refer to in the context of boy soldiers?
What does the phrase 'doomed procession' refer to in the context of boy soldiers?
How did the law affect the enlistment of underage soldiers?
How did the law affect the enlistment of underage soldiers?
What can be inferred about the attitude of recruiting sergeants towards underage volunteers?
What can be inferred about the attitude of recruiting sergeants towards underage volunteers?
How did Wilfred Owen's poem 'Arms and the Boy' depict the experience of boy soldiers?
How did Wilfred Owen's poem 'Arms and the Boy' depict the experience of boy soldiers?
What outcome is suggested by the phrase 'killing comes easily' in relation to teenage soldiers?
What outcome is suggested by the phrase 'killing comes easily' in relation to teenage soldiers?
What was Cyril's opinion about the British commander, Field Marshal Earl Haig?
What was Cyril's opinion about the British commander, Field Marshal Earl Haig?
What was the minimum height requirement for army recruits mentioned in the content?
What was the minimum height requirement for army recruits mentioned in the content?
What did Aby Bevistein change his surname to when he volunteered?
What did Aby Bevistein change his surname to when he volunteered?
How were recruitment officers incentivized to enlist new soldiers?
How were recruitment officers incentivized to enlist new soldiers?
What did Cyril's letter indicate about his experience with militarism after the war?
What did Cyril's letter indicate about his experience with militarism after the war?
What was a common experience for soldiers like Aby in the trenches?
What was a common experience for soldiers like Aby in the trenches?
Why did some young boys feel compelled to enlist despite their age?
Why did some young boys feel compelled to enlist despite their age?
What did Aby express discomfort about in his letter home?
What did Aby express discomfort about in his letter home?
What term is used in today's military lexicon to describe the condition Aby suffered after the mine explosion?
What term is used in today's military lexicon to describe the condition Aby suffered after the mine explosion?
What action did Aby take after suffering from shock during the German grenade attack?
What action did Aby take after suffering from shock during the German grenade attack?
How old was Aby when he was executed during the Great War?
How old was Aby when he was executed during the Great War?
What responsibility did Lieutenant St John Battersby have at the age of 16?
What responsibility did Lieutenant St John Battersby have at the age of 16?
What motivated St John Battersby to return to the front after being wounded?
What motivated St John Battersby to return to the front after being wounded?
What injury did St John Battersby sustain when he returned to battle?
What injury did St John Battersby sustain when he returned to battle?
What event occurred in St John Battersby's last hours according to his son?
What event occurred in St John Battersby's last hours according to his son?
How did the government influence the presence of younger soldiers like St John Battersby in combat?
How did the government influence the presence of younger soldiers like St John Battersby in combat?
Study Notes
The Teenage Soldiers of World War One
- During World War One, almost 250,000 boys under the age of 18 served in the British Army.
- Many of these boys were motivated by patriotism, a desire to escape difficult conditions at home, or a longing for adventure.
- The minimum age to enlist was 19, but the law did not prevent underage boys from joining.
- Recruiting Sergeants were often paid for each new recruit and were inclined to overlook age concerns.
- The minimum height requirement to enlist was 5 ft 3 inches and a minimum chest size of 34 inches.
- Pressure from society discouraged young boys from refusing to join the fight.
- The Great War was also a call to action for many children of immigrants, who viewed it as an opportunity to prove their loyalty to their new country.
- The harsh realities of trench warfare included cold, mud, rats, death, mutilation, and constant fear.
- Trench warfare caused mental health issues for many soldiers, which was later referred to as "combat stress" or "post traumatic stress disorder".
- Aby Bevistein, a young boy from Russian-occupied Poland, was executed for desertion.
- Lieutenant St. John Battersby, a 16-year-old soldier, was wounded at the Battle of the Somme and returned to France to keep fighting.
- He lost his leg after a German shell explosion.
- St. John Battersby found himself reliving the horrors of the battlefield in the hours before his death.
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Description
Explore the experiences of underage boys who served in the British Army during World War One. This quiz delves into their motivations, the recruitment process, and the harsh realities they faced in trench warfare. Test your knowledge about these young soldiers' sacrifices and the impact of war on their lives.
