Same Old Bill, Eh Mable! (WWI Centenary Series). Streeter Edward
“Same old Bill, eh Mable!”
BY
EDWARD STREETER
With 27 Illustrations In Black-And-White By G. William Breck
Copyright © 2016 Read Books Ltd.
This book is copyright and may not be
reproduced or copied in any way without
the express permission of the publisher in writing
British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
Illustrations List
Image 1. American Troops On The March
“Marched Till My Pack Gained A Hundred An Fifty Pounds”
”Everybody Had A Beard On Both Sides Of His Face”
”Beat The Buttons Off Them With A Big Board”
”Everyone Tucks There Napkins Under There Chins”
”Will Have To Lean Them Up Agenst Something”
”Tyin It Under Your Chin Like A Bib”
”Mike Whozis, The Captins Orderly”
”Ive Found The First Real Use For My Tin Derby”
”Another Boiler Blew Up Right In Front Of Us”
“Were Livin Right Up In The Trenches Now”
”It Doesnt Look As If It Had Ever Exploded”
”There Was The Lootenant Boostin The Major Out Of The Trench”
”You Ought To Have Seen Those Two Lootenants Come Down”
”’Do You Happen To Have Any Lemonade?’”
”Tried To Make A Blanket Roll In Six Inches Of Mud”
”All I Do Is Scratch, Scratch, Scratch”
”The People Here Wear Wooden Shoes An Have No Shapes”
”They Take Off There Hats To Us”
”That Little Snub Nosed Thing Across The Street”
”Im Going To Be Just Plain Mr. Bill Smith”
Introduction to the World War One Centenary Series
The First World War was a global war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918. More than nine million combatants were killed, a casualty rate exacerbated by the belligerents’ technological and industrial sophistication – and tactical stalemate. It was one of the deadliest conflicts in history, paving the way for major political changes, including revolutions in many of the nations involved. The war drew in all the world’s great economic powers, which were assembled in two opposing alliances: the Allies (based on the Triple Entente of the United Kingdom, France and the Russian Empire) and the Central Powers of Germany and Austria-Hungary. These alliances were both reorganised and expanded as more nations entered the war: Italy, Japan and the United States joined the Allies, and the Ottoman Empire and Bulgaria joined the Central Powers. Ultimately, more than 70 million military personnel were mobilised.
The war was triggered by the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria, heir to the throne of Austria-Hungary, by a Yugoslav nationalist, Gavrilo Princip in Sarajevo, June 28th 1914. This set off a diplomatic crisis when Austria-Hungary delivered an ultimatum to Serbia, and international alliances were invoked. Within weeks, the major powers were at war and the conflict soon spread around the world. By the end of the war, four major imperial powers; the German, Russian, Austro-Hungarian and Ottoman empires—ceased to exist. The map of Europe was redrawn, with several independent nations restored or created. On peace, the League of Nations formed with the aim of preventing any repetition of such an appalling conflict, encouraging cooperation and communication between the newly autonomous nation states. This laudatory pursuit failed spectacularly with the advent of the Second World War however, with new European nationalism and the rise of fascism paving the way for the next global crisis.
This book is part of the World War One Centenary series; creating, collating and reprinting new and old works of poetry, fiction, autobiography and analysis. The series forms a commemorative tribute to mark the passing of one of the world’s bloodiest wars, offering new perspectives on this tragic yet fascinating period of human history.
Amelia Carruthers
A Timeline of the Major Events of World War One in Europe
| 1914 | |
| 28th June | Franz Ferdinand Assassinated at Sarajevo. |
| 29th June | Austro-Hungary send despatch to Vienna accusing Serbian complicity in the killing. |
| 5th July | Kaiser Wilhelm promises German support for Austria against Serbia. |
| 20th July | Austria-Hungary sends troops to the Serbian frontier. |
| 25th July | Serbia mobilises its troops, Russia sends troops to the Austrian frontier. |
| 28th July | Austria-Hungary Declares war on Serbia. |
| 29th July | Austrians bombard Belgrade and German patrols cross the French border. Britain warns it cannot remain neutral. |
| 1st August | Germany declares war on Russia. Italy and Belgium announce neutrality. French mobilisation ordered. |
| 3rd August | Germany declares war on France and invades Belgium (Schlieffen plan). Great Britain mobilises. |
| 4th August | Britain declares war on Germany and Austria-Hungary (after ultimatum to stand down). US declares neutrality. Germany declares war on Belgium. |
| 6th August | First British casualties with the HMS Amphion sunk by German mines in the North sea. 150 men dead. |
| 7th August | First members of the BEF (British Expeditionary Force) arrive in France. |
| 11th August | Start of enlisting for Kitchener’s New Army ‘Your King and Country Need You’. |
| 20th August | Brussels is evacuated as German troops occupy the city. |
| 23rd August | The BEF started its retreat from Mons. Germany invades France. |
| 26th August | Russian army defeated at Tannenburg and Masurian Lakes. BEF suffers over 7000 casualties |