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Post by snacky on Mar 22, 2015 20:49:58 GMT
Of course William and Julia's son could get sucked into all the romantic fights against fascism, starting with the Spanish Republic vs. Franco or all the early Communist stuff when Communism/Socialism/Unionism/Populism were all in the same youthful bucket against Robber Barons, Monopolies, Big Financiers, etc. The young "communist" in Murdoch in Wonderland was a great example of the type. There's all sorts of trouble he could get into even if he misses WWI.
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Post by Hodge on Mar 22, 2015 21:33:11 GMT
I very much doubt John would enlist however I do see Bobby enlisting. Isn't there a draft? As in WW1 draft? Yes but not until around 1916. Being drafted is one thing, enlisting something else, I just can't see John being the type to want to go to war.
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Post by lizmc on Mar 22, 2015 21:35:53 GMT
I very much doubt John would enlist however I do see Bobby enlisting. Isn't there a draft? No. From 1914 up to 1917, Canada's army and navy were voluntary, and initially they had more recruits than they knew what to do with.......as losses mounted and the initial enthusiasm waned, we entered the great conscription debate, which was very divisive between different regions (a lot of the population in Quebec believed we shouldn't be involved in a European war and Ontario was gung ho) and different sectors (farmers were against it because they were expected to feed the Army, but they already had a labour shortage and farm hands were not a protected occupation)......Eventually, the Conscription Bill passed, but no one who was conscripted actually made it to the front lines.
Personally, I think John Brackenreid would enlist. He is anxious to prove himself to his father and to show he is as "manly" as the next guy, plus the feeling at the time was that the war would be over by Christmas, it would be a big adventure and you'd better get in fast so you wouldn't miss the fun.....no one in 1914 saw the massive stalemate and human meat grinder that was to come.......there was also huge social pressure to join up, with women like our Mrs Hamilton handing out white feathers to any fit man wearing civilian clothes.....the ladies of the Temperance Union were the worst offenders......
(BTW, just to be pedantic, Canada does not use the term "draft".....it is always "conscription")
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Post by Hodge on Mar 22, 2015 22:40:12 GMT
No. From 1914 up to 1917, Canada's army and navy were voluntary, and initially they had more recruits than they knew what to do with.......as losses mounted and the initial enthusiasm waned, we entered the great conscription debate, which was very divisive between different regions (a lot of the population in Quebec believed we shouldn't be involved in a European war and Ontario was gung ho) and different sectors (farmers were against it because they were expected to feed the Army, but they already had a labour shortage and farm hands were not a protected occupation)......Eventually, the Conscription Bill passed, but no one who was conscripted actually made it to the front lines.
Personally, I think John Brackenreid would enlist. He is anxious to prove himself to his father and to show he is as "manly" as the next guy, plus the feeling at the time was that the war would be over by Christmas, it would be a big adventure and you'd better get in fast so you wouldn't miss the fun.....no one in 1914 saw the massive stalemate and human meat grinder that was to come.......there was also huge social pressure to join up, with women like our Mrs Hamilton handing out white feathers to any fit man wearing civilian clothes.....the ladies of the Temperance Union were the worst offenders......
(BTW, just to be pedantic, Canada does not use the term "draft".....it is always "conscription")
Yes it was 1917 when conscription came in. It was late 1916 that enlistment diminished to the point they couldn't replace the men on the front lines.
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Post by Bridget on Mar 24, 2015 5:12:03 GMT
Stunned to see Edna's husband stroll casually in. It was not a touching reunion with his son...in fact he ordered him to take his bags upstairs. Is Simon Edna's stepson? Does anyone else suspect It was not the first time Simon had seen his father? He sure recognized him quickly. And what on earth is the backstory? Where are your detecting instincts George?
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Post by Bridget on Mar 24, 2015 5:13:31 GMT
Stunned to see Edna's husband stroll casually in. It was not a touching reunion with his son...in fact he ordered him to take his bags upstairs. Is Simon Edna's stepson? Does anyone else suspect It was not the first time Simon had seen his father? He sure recognized him quickly. And what on earth is the backstory? Where are your detecting instincts George?
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Post by snacky on Mar 24, 2015 5:47:32 GMT
Stunned to see Edna's husband stroll casually in. It was not a touching reunion with his son...in fact he ordered him to take his bags upstairs. Is Simon Edna's stepson? Does anyone else suspect It was not the first time Simon had seen his father? He sure recognized him quickly. And what on earth is the backstory? Where are your detecting instincts George? Edna is the stepmother. Simon is the son of the returning soldier by his first wife. Edna was single for the very first episode of MM when she met George! Not enough time to have a boy Simon's age.
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