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This chapter looks at First World War veterans and the contested status of their combat experience. Parallels were drawn between service in civil defence and in the armed forces. Yet the criticism directed at civil defence often unfavourably compared the organisation to the armed forces, distancing the two services. Moreover, there was a great deal of scepticism amongst politicians, journalists and their colleagues about the value of veterans. Veterans themselves emphasised the continued relevance of their knowledge, skills and experience, particularly in dealing with shelling, gas and boredom. They also developed a distinct form of ‘useful masculinity’ in response to criticism. The military skills and knowledge which these men stressed were not tied to youth and fitness, and their experience made them ‘useful’ rather than ‘heroic’. In their social groups at civil defence posts veterans were able to develop narratives which used the rhetoric of the ‘people’s war’ to assert their high status within the war effort.

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Creating the people’s war

Civil defence communities in Second World War Britain

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