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From The Editor
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THIS month is not only the month of Remembrance but is particularly significant this year as it marks the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War.
There are no longer any surviving veterans of this war – the war to end all wars – but the lives of every family in the land were touched in some way by the four-year conflict that ended millions of lives.
My own great-grandfather, I am told, served in the army and had his service cut short after being caught up in a mustard gas attack. Whilst blessed not to have suffered the worst ravages, he was discharged from service and ultimately suffered ill-health for the rest of his short life after his lungs were irreparably damaged by the gas.
Such stories are commonplace across Scotland and the wider UK. Everyone has a story of a relative who was killed or whose life was changed forever as a result of the war, which claimed the lives of an estimated 700,000 UK military personnel – the largest loss of modern warfare (since 1871).
The scale of the conflict and the toll it exacted on society meant the world was changed forever in its aftermath.
Peace movements flourished and anti-war sentiments grew in strength until a new threat was presented to the world, thanks to the rise of Hitler and Nazi Germany.
History records that confirmed pacifists, whilst still opposed to war, recognised that at that time it was necessary to rid the world of a far bigger and more evil threat.
The pages of Life and Work from the time of both wars provide a fascinating insight into the heart and minds of the Church of Scotland.
”As the Church gears up to play its part in this special year of memorial, the importance of the lessons learned from the Great War and of the Church’s commitment to service – and lasting peace – should not be forgotten.
Ministers signed up to pastor to the millions of men fighting in trenches and risked lives on naval vessels and in the air supporting the fledgling Royal Air Force (which also celebrated its centenary this year).
The RAF was formed on April 1 1918 following the merger of the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) and the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS).
Their accounts from the front, published in the pages of this magazine during the First World War, make sobering reading, but also offer a snapshot of social history and church attitudes to war.
Many also served as part of the Huts and Canteens movement which provided sustenance to military personnel who had a few hours of rest and provided some comfort and a reminder of home.
As the Church gears up to play its part in this special year of memorial, the importance of the lessons learned from the Great War and of the Church’s commitment to service – and lasting peace – should not be forgotten.
Lynne McNeil
Editor
This article appears in the November 2018 Issue of Life and Work
If you would like to view other issues of Life and Work, you can see the full archive
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This article appears in the November 2018 Issue of Life and Work