Family Tragedy Documented

On August 1st 1914, Robert Burnard wrote a letter to his sister Mary, commenting on the outbreak of World War I. The unimaginable was about to happen, Germany & Britain go to war on opposite sides, tearing the Burnard family apart. Here is how Robert described his thoughts on the tragedy:

Stoke Teignmouth, August 1, 1914

Dear Molly,

Where are we all drifting ? It looks like a huge war thrust upon us which we don't want. All apparently over a wretched little country like Serbia.

It has come so suddenly - when it began the Kaiser was in Norway and the French President in Moscow- it therefore appears to have been a surprise for them. I don't understand it. If France is attacked I do not see how we can keep out of it and we may find ourselves at war with Germany much, very much against our will. It is terrible.

The London Stock Exchange is closed for the first time, and the Bank rate which last week was 3% is now 8%. There has so far been no panic in Britain but there has been a slight rise in food - the 4 lb. loaf is now '5 instead of  '41/2- so far there has been no rise in meat but it will come next week. 

Armageddon cannot last long for much of Europe will be starving in 3 months time and revolutions will follow in the train of victories and defeats. Kings and Emperors will be at a discount. I believe the Kaiser, if he could have his way, would be for peace - but powerful as he is, he cannot stem the rising tide which bids fair to swamp human progress for a generation. 

There may be in some countries mob enthusiasm for war, all thinking people recoil from it with horror, and such a horror as the modern World has never experienced, nor the ancient as well. 

All this thrust upon us like some occult force which the man in the street cannot fathom - I am sure I cannot. Well wherever we are we must keep our right ends up and hope for the best. Olive is going on well and little David is flourishing. We all send best love to you all

Yours ever

Bob.