Colchester in the Great War

Few towns equalled Colchester in their role in the Great War. In this expert account, Colchester historian Andrew Phillips records four of the most dramatic years in the towns history.As Headquarters of Eastern Region, Colchesters garrison supplied many of the men who prevented the early defeat of France. The town then became a training area for at least 100,000 recruits. While training, guns on the Western Front could often be heard.At times Colchesters civilian population of 40,000 was equalle