Chalk, Englishness and the Great War

Chalk, Englishness and the Great War

From The Old Front Line by Paul Reed

April 11, 2026 · 58 min · Season 9 · Episode 29

About this episode

This episode explores the connection between chalk landscapes in Britain and their impact on soldiers' identities during the Great War.

In this special episode with Professor Mark Connelly we explore the profound connection between landscape, memory, and national identity during the Great War, focusing on the significance of chalk landscapes in Britain and their influence on cultural memory and battlefield symbolism. We dive into how the beautiful, chalky terrains of England shaped the identity of soldiers during the Great War. Many of them carried an intimate knowledge of these landscapes, a connection forged through literat...

People in this episode

Host: Paul Reed

Guest: Professor Mark Connelly

Topics covered

  • landscape
  • memory
  • national identity
  • cultural memory
  • battlefield symbolism
  • Great War

Keywords

  • chalk landscapes
  • Great War
  • national identity
  • cultural memory
  • battlefield symbolism
  • England
  • memory

Mentioned in this episode

Places: Britain, England

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