For King and Country: Four Brothers Four Crosses A New Zealand Story

Description

The third of three books by military historian Jock Vennell on New Zealand's participation in World War 1 through the experiences of its commanders and the men they led. A biography of Major General Sir Andrew Russell, commander of the New Zealand Division in France from 1916 to the end of the war, was followed by the first published biography of Gallipoli hero, Lieutenant Colonel William Malone. This book is the story of a New Zealand family of five brothers who enlisted to fight for their country in World War 1 and never returned. They were among the more than 18,000 young men who lost their lives fighting for the British Empire to which their country belonged in 1914. Countless others were badly wounded or returned home so physically and mentally damaged that they could play no useful part in post-war society. Through the tragedy of the Christophers family, military historian Jock Vennell traces the social and economic damage done to New Zealand society by the war, destroying so many of the best of its coming generation, disrupting nationally important industries and social services and limiting personal freedoms. He looks at why so many young men willingly answered the call to serve their King, country, and empire, despite the terrible loss of life sustained on the battlefields of Europe, Turkey, and the Middle East over four years of war.

Jock Vennell is a former journalist, editor, and public affairs director of the Ministry of Defence. His first book, a biography of Major General Sir Andrew Russell, was published in 2011 and subsequently made into a television documentary. His biography of Lieutenant Colonel William Malone was published in 2015.