Description

Cannock Chase is a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty nestled in the Staffordshire countryside. At first glance it seems like many other areas of rural England, peaceful, calm and tranquil. Yet lying just beneath the surface is the evidence of the vital role this area played during the First World War. For between 1914 and 1918, two large camps served as the training base for tens of thousands of soldiers, preparing them for the inferno of the Western Front. It was a place that became particularly associated with the New Zealand Rifle Brigade and today it is home to the hidden legacy of their finest hour, The Battle of Messines in 1917.This book uncovers the legacy of Cannock Chase, exploring how the archaeological remains, cemeteries and memorials found there narrate the story of life, death and the development of the British Army during the Great War. Contemporary photographs and a guide for visitors ensure that this book is a must for those interested in a history of the First World War that goes beyond the Western Front.