7. Escape from Social Expectations
Enlistment allowed some British soldiers, known as “Tommies,” to break free from societal pressures or restrictive norms at home, with the army offering new freedom and changed identities. Historian Adam Hochschild highlights this theme in his writings. For more insights, see the Smithsonian Magazine’s article on life in the trenches during WWI. (smithsonianmag.com)
