Town mouse: reflecting on war
Clive plans his talk for ABF the Soldier’s Charity in September, and reflects on the nature of war

I’m excited about September 7. I’ll be in Exeter to talk about War Memorial for ABF, the Soldiers’ Charity. Not only is this an excellent charity (tickets £25), but I hope to revisit Lydford, where the war memorial that I wrote about is located. Naturally, I was there a lot when the book was in preparation, but despite putting out as many feelers as I could, I clearly didn’t reach everybody. A previously untraced descendant of one of my men, as I think of them, will be at the talk. Another name on the roll of honour will emerge more clearly from the shadows.
As the centenary of the First World War progresses—and it has four years to run—a conflict that once seemed catastrophic but remote will, to many, come to feel closer. There’s every reason that it should. We still have to learn the lesson that wars are easier to start than to stop— look at Iraq. They’re such a dislocation to human affairs that few can foresee their consequences. Which of the Powers would have gone into the First World War if it had known its empire was doomed as a result? Mankind can be terribly stupid. I say ‘mankind’ advisedly. Women might have done better.
* This article was first published in Country Life magazine on August 13 2014
* Follow Country Life magazine on Twitter
Sign up for the Country Life Newsletter
Exquisite houses, the beauty of Nature, and how to get the most from your life, straight to your inbox.
-
Country Life's Quiz of the Day, 10 February 2025: How many people live in Shetland?
Guess the house price, remember the stuff you learned at school and take wild stabs in the dark. You'll love it.
By Toby Keel Published
-
A 17th century country house estate for sale in Yorkshire that's not too big and not too small
Take a look inside one of the finest private houses in the north of England that's perfectly manageable as a family house.
By Annunciata Elwes Published