Except for Boy Soldiers of the First World War

In this episode, Mark and Greg have a conversation with Saint John author, Heather McBriarty, on underaged soldiers in the First World War. As in other cities in Canada , Saint John was swept by a wave of patriotism that encouraged many young men to volunteer for the Canadian Expeditionary Force.  Much of this patriotism was channeled into support for Great Britain, which most Canadians viewed as the ‘mother country’. More than 600,000 Canadians served in the army, most of whom were posted overseas. Until conscription was introduced late in the war, the Canadian military depended on volunteers and by 1916 these were in short supply. 

We start with a tragic incident that underscored the dangers of giving children uniforms, military training and loaded weapons.  From there we examine early 20th century attitudes towards childhood, the reasons why the military authorities permitted under-age volunteers, and the problems these youth created within the ranks. Like a number of their older comrades, many child soldiers were physically unfit for duty. In theory, recruits under 18 needed the permission of parents to volunteer; but this rule was often evaded, and proper documentation of age was not always provided- or demanded.  Later in the war, the minimum volunteering age was raised to 19-up until this point those under 19 were not supposed be sent to trenches, but 16, 17 and 18 year olds and younger boys-did see action. 

Roughly 2,000 child soldiers (meaning under 19) died during the war, with a fatality rate of 10% for those who served overseas. Other came back wounded, disabled or emotionally scarred.     

Show Notes: https://www.nothinghappenedhere.ca/post/except-for-boy-soldiers-of-the-first-world-war