The Power Of Friendship.

Question 1

How did firm friendships and inclusivity in the army help?

Answer 1

Firm friendships were built by men who fought alongside each other. There was a real sense of being in it together. Soldiers shared the same experiences and helped each other ease the fear and insecurity of life in the trenches.

Question 2

Explain how the shared sense of humour between friends helped.

Answer 2

A shared sense of humour made the suffering more bearable. Soldiers gave comic names to the things around them. A cemetery became a ‘rest camp’; going over the top became jumping the bags’. Many soldiers were able to laugh not only at themselves and at others, but also at the horrors of war itself.

Question 3

Explain the helpfulness of Pals Battalions.

Answer 3

In the early years of the war Pals Battalions were formed in which friends from the same area joined together and served together. Men often served alongside their friends, their neighbours and their workmates- this increased their desire to stick it out. It meant that men had shared interests and that they were determined not to let down their friends or those they could be working with when the war was over. The men had pride in their local area and were determined that their battalion would be better than those from other areas.

Question 4

Why did men continue to fight?

Answer 4

Men continued to fight because they did not want to let their friends down.

Question 5

Explain how friendships made people want to stick it out.

Answer 5

One may not want to be left out if you leave the war, or disappoint and be kicked out of the friend group. One may not want to be seen as the weakest one in the friend group.

Question 6

How did Private Mudd’s letter prove your point?

Answer 6

He wrote that everyone in the army were all pals. He believed that they shared each other’s troubles and get each other out of danger, and the kindness between men out here was unbelievable. He believed it was a lovely thing that friendship was out here.

Question 7

Why did having fun with friends make soldiers want to stay?

Answer 7

Soldiers may not have wanted to desert, because they may have found the thrill of danger fun, and see it as an exciting adventure to enjoy with friends.

Question 8

How did Captain Julian Grenfell’s diary prove that having fun with friends made soldiers not want to desert?

Answer 8

He wrote: Four of us were talking and laughing in the road when a dozen bullets came with a whistle. We all dived for the nearest door which happened to be a lav, and fell over each other yelling with laughter. I adore war. It’s just like a big picnic, without the objectlessness of a picnic . I’ve never been so well or so happy.”