Shrouds of the Somme
I don't think that trying to interpret the place of the Battle of the Somme in the national consciousness in class terms really stands up. Statistically the highest casualty rates were in the junior officers who were in large part very recent ex public schoolboys. Casualties came across the whole social spectrum including the Prime Minister's son Raymond Asquith. The awarding of VCs and other awards however was distinctly skewed.
Calvert wrote: I imagine Geoffrey is talking about the politicians, Royals and army brass, Nick, not the poor saps who paid with their lives.
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