A Case of 'War Worry'

Centenary of the First World War

- Graham Bebbington

If there is one aspect of First World War research which has not received the attention that the subject merits, it is that of the grief and suffering of families at home resulting from the loss of loved ones in conflict. Shortly after the signing of the Treaty of Versailles in 1919, Sir Henry Dickens (son of Charles Dickens) wrote in a letter that “life is not worth living if we brood too much, we have to make an effort not to forget it but bear it in resignation and in proud remembrance”. Appreciating that many would not have felt able to fully acquiesce with such sentiments, it should nevertheless be noted that Dickens himself had lost a son in the war who had no known grave.

Following the shock of loss, some bereaved mothers and wives became unable to cope with life in general and were diagnosed as suffering from “war worry”. A simple medical term, perhaps, but which nevertheless could result in serious and life-changing implications as may be illustrated by the experience of one Staffordshire family.