One such was the Erskine Childers 1903 novel The Riddle of the Sands, which foretold of German preparations for an invasion of England. The country was seen as both an economic and military threat and jingoistic propaganda speculating about German intentions had been circulating in books and the press. The British had been fighting an imaginary war with Germany since the early 1870s. The fun was over as the country entered one of the darkest chapters of the 20th century. Now there was the threat of German naval bombardment of the coastal towns, and a desire from the nation’s men and boys to show their loyalty to king and country. It was 4 August, 1914.Ī few days earlier, Broadstairs beaches had been packed with the usual holiday crowd, determined not to let the crisis in Europe spoil their fun. The Kaiser’s troops had failed to withdraw from neutral Belgium and Britain was now at war with Germany. Only the locals and a few determined holidaymakers remained as war cast its shadow over Europe.
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