'A different existence altogether' : constructing, conditioning and controlling the British soldier's body in the First World War
This thesis examines the processes by which British male civilians became soldiers during the First World War. It contributes to the historiography on the British experience of the war by placing the human body at the centre of the analysis and considering the impact of bodies under the control and care of the British Army. It expands upon the sociological literature of 'the body' by establishing how these theoretical concepts are evident within the empirical research. Through an analysis of official records and publications, it explores how the state sought to transform the male civilian body for military purposes. A significant aspect of this research stems from the personal experiences of the men who served by painstaking consideration of their letters, diaries, and oral testimonies. This research illustrates that the body was a core concern for the British military as well as being central in perceptions of physical worth within British society during the First World War. Between 1914-1918 British men's bodies were assessed, categorised, improved, damaged, recovered, repaired and destroyed. From enlistment to the end of service, soldier's bodies were repurposed for the pursuit of victory as the British
Walker, Simon Harold
'A different existence altogether' : constructing, conditioning and controlling the British soldier's body in the First World War. This thesis examines the processes by which British male civilians became soldiers during the First World War. It contributes to the historiography on the British experience of the war by placing the human body at the centre of the analysis and considering the impact of bodies under the control and care of the British Army. It expands upon the sociological literature of 'the body' by establishing how these theoretical concepts are evident within the empirical research. Through an analysis of official records and publications, it explores how the state sought to transform the male civilian body for military purposes. A significant aspect of this research stems from the personal experiences of the men who served by painstaking consideration of their letters, diaries, and oral testimonies. This research illustrates that the body was a core concern for the British military as well as being central in perceptions of physical worth within British society during the First World War. Between 1914-1918 British men's bodies were assessed, categorised, improved, damaged, recovered, repaired and destroyed. From enlistment to the end of service, soldier's bodies were repurposed for the pursuit of victory as the British
different existence altogether constructing condition control british soldier body first_world_war examine process british male civilian become soldier first_world_war contribute historiography_british experience war place human_body centre analysis consider impact body control care british_army expand_upon sociological literature the body establish_theoretical concept evident within empirical research analysis official_record publication explore state seek transform male civilian body military purpose significant_aspect stem personal_experience men serve consideration letter diary oral_testimony illustrates body core concern british_military well central perception physical worth within british_society first_world_war british men body assess categorise improve damage recover repair destroyed end service soldier body pursuit victory british