King George V, the second son of King Edward VII, inherited the throne because his elder brother Prince Albert sadly died during an outbreak of influenza at the age of 28. Princess Mary of Teck, previously engaged to Albert, married George instead. They had five sons and a daughter and were married for 42 years. King George V reigned during World War I. Life, so very different for Britain during King George's reign, compared to the 'Golden Age' his father had enjoyed, especially changed from 1914 and the outbreak of war. So, what was life was like during World War One?
The Early Years of King George V's Reign
The early years of his reign were full of unrest. The army quelled riots in Liverpool, where striking workers became more violent. Likewise, in Ireland, tensions rose. As the demand, by the Liberals for 'Home Rule' intensified, the Ulster Protestants and Unionists formed the Ulster Volunteer Force. This parliamentary force threatened the Government with civil war if the measure was carried. In 1912, a major
disaster occurred. The ‘unsinkable’ White Star ocean liner ‘The Titanic’ hit an iceberg on her maiden voyage and sank. The Titanic could carry over 3,500 people, but only had lifeboat capacity for 1,178, consequently, this contributed to 1,503 lives being lost. The Suffragette movement was becoming increasingly violent. On 4th June 1913, suffragette Emily Davison, ran out in front of the King's Horse at the Derby, she died a few days later from her injuries.
The Outbreak Of War
The assassination of Archduke Ferdinand in Sarajevo on the 28th of June 1914, escalated into 'the war to end all wars'. On 4th August 1914, Britain declared war on Germany, in response to an invasion of Belgium. With the outbreak of World War 1 a wave of patriotism swept the country. Many young men rushed to enlist, not wishing to miss the experience. Their eagerness perhaps fuelled by the popular belief that it would all be over by Christmas. Lord Kitchener, who was the Secretary of State for War, initially called for 100,000 men and his famous poster, ‘Britons Kitchener wants You’, was used in his recruitment campaign.
World War I on the Home Front
World War I, often thought of as a soldier's conflict, because over six million men mobilised to fight overseas and the horrendous casualties, impacted everyone at home too. Zeppelin raids on London, April 1915, drew everyone into the war. Women showed their ability to do much of the work previously done by men in factories, but also as Police officers, Postal workers and bus conductors. A German blockade in 1917, resulted in rationing being introduced. Public respect for King George increased as he made many visits to
hospitals, the front line, factories and dockyards. In 1917 anti German feeling made the King replace the family name from Saxe-Coburg-Gotha to Windsor.
The End of The War
Early in 1918 the Representation of the People act gave all men over the age of 21 and women, over the age of 30 the right to vote. There was a limit to those women that qualified. Eligible women were registered property occupiers (or married to a registered property occupier). This allowed just over 8 million women to vote. Ten years later, all women over the age of 21 could vote. In May 1918 a massive flu epidemic arrived and killed more than 200,000 people in Britain and up to 50 million worldwide over the course of a year! On the 8th of August 1918 British and French troops succeeded in advancing 6 miles in one day in the Battle of Amiens. Using the greatest concentration of tanks during the war, many German forces surrendered. Finally, on 11th November at 11am, World War One ended when Germany signed an armistice.
King George V went on to reign for 26 years, celebrating his Silver Jubilee in 1935.
Here at Sweet and Nostalgic we have a great range of World War One and 1910's Gift Ideas. Come and have a look at what life was like during World War One and 1910's Britain, our products give you a warm nostalgic flavour for this wonderful decade Our range covers the whole of the 20th Century, so there's something on our site for everyone interested in the most influential century that the world has known to date.