Abstract

Faced with the terrifying maelstrom of the Western Front, with apocalyptic artillery barrages and seemingly endless battles of attrition, it was natural enough for the soldiers of the First World War to consider their place in history and the war's effect on subsequent generations. The rhetoric associated with veterans emphasizes the heroism and sacrifice of individuals in a manner seemingly at odds with the war's popular reputation as a futile, mistaken, misfought conflict. Particularly since the Second World War, a significant function of the First World War in British popular culture has been as a symbol for all that is negative about conflict and its aftermath. The endurance of certain popular myths and the popularity of activities connected to the First World War suggest that they fulfil some social and cultural function. Keywords: British popular culture; First World War; Second World War; Western Front

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