Josh Bilton

ive come to conclusion that a phd is basically a bibliography with a few extra words tacked in front.

#FWWhistorians, are there any books, articles, etc that discuss the process of reconditioning/retraining British soldiers after they were wounded? Loads on their evacuation from the battlefield, but little on what happened after being discharged from hospital.

i've just realised that final year phd isn't about correcting your 1st year mistakes as someone said, it's about realising you just don't care anymore. articulate/verbose 1st year me is now get it done 4th year me

@ww1pen This is perfect, thanks very much! Saved me a lot of agro.

@JoshBilton3 Is an online copy of use? searchworks.stanford.edu/view/12681917

Long shot, but does anyone have a copy of Conscript Tich by Jack Spurr? BL copies aren't available and I thought I'd try here first before trekking to Cambridge or Oxford.

@britishlibrary Hi, has access to the reading room computers been restored, thanks?

@britishlibrary Thanks for letting me know. Is there an ETA on when the computers will be up and running?

@JoshBilton3 Hi Josh, we’re afraid our Reading Rooms are open for study on personal devices only or for the viewing of collection items from our printed catalogue stored at St Pancras. We apologise for the continued inconvenience.

We’d like to thank you for your patience and understanding during this challenging period, following the major technology outage caused by a cyber-attack – it is much appreciated. We’re working as quickly as possible to safely restore our services, both onsite and online. Our buildings remain fully open, including our exhibitions Fantasy: Realms of Imagination and Malorie Blackman: The Power of Stories. Wi-Fi is available at both sites, and we can take card payments onsite at St Pancras. We’re actively updating our blog with alternative research resources as they become available: bit.ly/BLCyberUpdateD… We’re continuing to work closely with cybersecurity specialists to examine the extent of the cyber-attack and will provide regular updates. The NCSC offers valuable advice on maintaining online security: bit.ly/BLNCSC Thank you for your ongoing support. We’ll share further updates as soon as we can.

@MilAvHistory Idk, seems pretty accurate to me. I've definitely read accounts of German pilots riding their planes like horses.

Ai: "A compelling YouTube thumbnail showcasing German World War II fighter pilot aces. The image captures the essence of these skilled pilots." HAH, no it doesn't 🤣there is so much wrong with this I don't even know where to start.

@britishlibrary Do you know when it'll be possible to access the catalogue again?

We’re continuing to experience a major technology outage as a result of a cyber-attack, affecting our website, online systems and services, and some onsite services too. We anticipate restoring many services in the next few weeks, but some disruption may persist. We have now confirmed that this was a ransomware attack, by a group known for such criminal activity. As mentioned in previous updates, we’ve taken targeted protective measures to ensure the integrity of our systems, and we’re undertaking a forensic investigation with the support of NCSC, the Metropolitan Police and cybersecurity specialists. Our buildings are open and events and exhibitions are going ahead. While our website and some services are offline, we’re regularly updating our blog with information on what’s still available: bit.ly/BLCyberUpdateN… Thank you for your ongoing patience while we continue to investigate this incident. We’re really grateful for your understanding.

@AlexCMayhew Will do and vice versa.

@JoshBilton3 Let me know if you do find a copy. I hadn’t come across this!

Does anyone have a copy of the MPhil ‘Discipline and Morale: the British non-commissioned officer on the western front 1914- 1918’, by S. Penny. I can't find it online. If anyone has a copy they'd be willing to share, I'd be eternally grateful.

@ProfGSheffield De Monfort, if I'm not mistaken. It's been referenced a few times but is nowhere to be found either on Ethos or the uni website.

@SteveJChambers Ahh, very interesting. I'm always curious about SBs. I've identified several conscripts who switched while on the WF as a consequence of their experiences, so it's useful to see the other side.

@JoshBilton3 Not 100% sure of the exact date but he landed in France at the end of 1915

The bravest of the brave. The MM citations are for bravery as a stretcher-bearer during the fighting at Arras and Ypres in 1917. Sadly he was killed at Cambrai later that year, just days before he was due to go on leave to marry his sweetheart ❤️ #WW1 #FWW #History

@bigandylock What's your verdict on the FWW section? I thought it was superb.

@AlexCMayhew @unibirmingham Getting there, thanks. Slowly losing my mind in the process but I hear that's all part of it ha

@JoshBilton3 @unibirmingham Thanks, Josh! I hope the thesis is coming along well!

Excited to share that I am going to be joining @unibirmingham as an Assistant Professor in the Social and Cultural History of the First World War this September. Amongst other things, I am going to be working on the revamped MA in First World War Studies.

@phantomsteve I am. Thank you, I'm glad you've enjoyed it. Sadly I'm not sure I'll have the time as PhD takes priority, but might write it once I'm done.

@JoshBilton3 Are you the Joshua BIlton who is working on the "Germany in the Great War" series of books? If so, do you have an estimated publication date for the 5th (and final) volume, covering 1918? It is a fascinating series, with some brilliant photos :)

@phantomsteve Supposedly it was because the division was constantly moving around to support weaker formations. It's difficult to know whether this was a postwar justification or not. Interesting nonetheless though.

@JoshBilton3 Did you ever find out why? V. Wheeler-Holohan's "Divisional and Other Signs" (John Murray, 1920) - which I am sure you looked at! - gives no history... perhaps Maj-Gen Bridges just liked butterflies! The John Player card states it was the personal choice of the G.O.C.

#FFWHistorians, Does anyone know anything about the 19th Division emblem? I'm trying to find out why the butterfly was chosen as their patch, but so far I've been unable to find anything but anecdotal evidence.