Bexhill-on-Sea, 1917–1919: A Maple Leaf Empire?. (2nd January 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Flanagan, Luke
• Is Part Of: International journal of regional and local history. Volume 14:Number 1(2019)
• Page Start: 39
• Page End: 54
• Publication Date: 2019-01-02
• Subjects: Canada -- Sussex -- reverse-colonisation -- Canadian identity -- interaction during the First World War -- Jonathan F. Vance; Regions (Administrative and political divisions) -- History -- Periodicals; Cities and towns -- History -- Periodicals; Local government -- History -- Periodicals; Local history -- Periodicals; 900
• DOI: 10.1080/20514530.2019.1599793
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2051-4530

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The centenary of the First World War has brought about increased scholarly interest in the Dominions and their contribution to the war effort. It is now time to ask what impact the many Dominion soldiers had on the British towns where they were garrisoned. This article will focus on Canadian soldiers based in the Sussex town of Bexhill-on-Sea. Drawing on local newspapers, the article utilises the Maple Leaf Empire paradigm developed by Johnathan F Vance. It seeks to understand how the Canadians were perceived by the locals and whether the Canadians, in Vance' words, "reverse-colonised" the town leading it to resemble a Canadian enclave in Britain. The article suggests that the Maple Leaf Empire typology has credence, but it is a stretch to say that it applies to Bexhill in any meaningful way. While the Canadians had an impact on the town, it was not wide-ranging enough to claim reverse-colonisation.