Military-Civilian Intercourse, Prostitution and Venereal Disease Among Black West Indian Soldiers During World War I

TitleMilitary-Civilian Intercourse, Prostitution and Venereal Disease Among Black West Indian Soldiers During World War I
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication1997
AuthorsHowe, Glenford
JournalThe Journal of Caribbean History
Volume31
Issue1
Pagination88-102
Abstract

During times of war stricter measures of control and surveillance are usually imposed by military officials on intercourse between civilians and soldiers but this relationship, nevertheless, forms an integral part of a soldier's recreation and leisure experiences. This was especially critical for West Indian and other soldiers during the First World War since the vast majority of them had only recently been drawn into army life. Relationships between the West Indian soldiers and civilian populations overseas took place within the prescriptions of army regulations but operated at various emotional and physical levels and in a variety of overt and discrete forms. This paper examines the manner in which the soldiers of the British West Indies Regiment (B. W.I. R), which was recruited from throughout the West Indies and sent to serve in Europe, the Middle East and other countries during the First World War, expressed their sexuality in these new and different environments. Particular attention is paid to the health consequences of their sexual relations and the attempts by the military to regulate and restrict their intercourse, especially with prostitutes.

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