My mother-in-law has become interested in the history of the First World War and she (and my wife) are planning to go to Flanders later this year to see the battlefields.
A hundred years ago, almost every fit man of suitable age (and many who were under-age) volunteered to go and fight when the call came.
This got us talking about whether things would be the same should this happen again today. Of course, things would be completely different and millions fighting in trenches would not happen but, disregarding such matters, the question remains.
Would all young and fit men volunteer to fight another country threatening our freedom, should a 'First World War' happen again today?
My response would be almost certainly no, for various reasons. One major difference, I think, is that many people these days do not have the same pride in their country that people did a hundred years ago. In fact, to be honest, I'm afraid this doesn't feel like my country any more, as it did when I was a youngster fifty years ago.
How do others feel? Would you volunteer to sign up?
A hundred years ago, almost every fit man of suitable age (and many who were under-age) volunteered to go and fight when the call came.
This got us talking about whether things would be the same should this happen again today. Of course, things would be completely different and millions fighting in trenches would not happen but, disregarding such matters, the question remains.
Would all young and fit men volunteer to fight another country threatening our freedom, should a 'First World War' happen again today?
My response would be almost certainly no, for various reasons. One major difference, I think, is that many people these days do not have the same pride in their country that people did a hundred years ago. In fact, to be honest, I'm afraid this doesn't feel like my country any more, as it did when I was a youngster fifty years ago.
How do others feel? Would you volunteer to sign up?