Year

2022

Degree Name

Master of Research

Department

School of Humanities and Social Inquiry

Abstract

This thesis explores the impact music had on the mental and emotional health of soldiers during the First World War. Marching music, military bands, war songs and buglers are all aspects of music that have been closely related to war and the military for a large portion of human history, going as far back as ancient civilisations. This thesis explores this connection and addresses the impact music had during wartime, both on soldiers and the communities at home. Fundamentally, music had a positive impact on soldiers’ mental and emotional health and was effectively harnessed to drive recruitment, morale and patriotism at home. This study analyses the roles of music, the ways soldiers interacted with music on the front lines, how music was used to help shell shock victims and how the beginnings of the use of music as treatment for mental disorders during the First World War led to the development of modern music therapy as it is practiced today. Source material includes sheet music, self-made instruments, newspaper articles and military records, in addition to a vast body of scholarship. This evidence culminates in the conclusion that music was closely connected to the mental health of soldiers, aiding them to either maintain or regain mental health. This is significant as mental health in the military is an issue that remains important and has increased in public awareness.

FoR codes (2008)

210303 Australian History (excl. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander History), 210399 Historical Studies not elsewhere classified

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Unless otherwise indicated, the views expressed in this thesis are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the University of Wollongong.