Photo: Troops of the Army Cyclists Corps advancing along a road during training in Richmond Park, 1915 © IWM (Q 53678)
The Royal Parks in the Great War
The Royal Parks Guild's publication 'The Royal Parks in the Great War' (compiled by David Ivison) is now available to download.
As hostilities with Germany were becoming inevitable the British Government began to take action to prepare itself for war. The parks were immediately utilised for recruitment rallies, transport staging posts, aerial defence and temporary accommodation. Throughout the War more and more demands were placed upon the parks. This led to questions being raised in the House of Commons about the amount of land being used for military activity to the detriment of the public enjoyment. Even at the end of the War the parks continued to host a legacy of temporary buildings and allotments well into the 1920s, much to the annoyance of local Members of Parliament who pressed for a return to parkland.
This new publication gives a glimpse into how the parks were used in the Great War and how they played their part. It also tells the stories of the 24 men of the Royal Parks who died while serving their country and to whom this book is dedicated.
None right now, but we'll be back in the new year!