The real Eton Rifles.

An essay is presented on the role of upper-class alumni of public schools, or elite private schools, in Great Britain's participation in World War I and on how that role has been characterized in British academic and popular culture, as of 2013. The author takes issue with the frequent depiction of...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	New Statesman Vol. 142; no. 5189; pp. 40 - 45
Main Author:	Seldon, Anthony
Format:	Essay
Published:	New Statesman Ltd. 12/13/2013
Subjects:	United Kingdom Old Lie: The Great War & the Public-School Ethos, The (Book) Class differences Military personnel World War I Endowed public schools (Great Britain) Military officers
Online Access:	View this record in EBSCOhost

Description
Summary:	An essay is presented on the role of upper-class alumni of public schools, or elite private schools, in Great Britain's participation in World War I and on how that role has been characterized in British academic and popular culture, as of 2013. The author takes issue with the frequent depiction of uncaring and incompetent upper-class officers as responsible for the deaths of lower-class soldiers. Works cited include "The Old Lie: The Great War and the Public School Ethos" by Peter Parker.