The Fight for Right Movement was founded in August 1915 by Francis Younghusband.[1] Its aim was to increase support for the First World War in Great Britain and to boost morale in the armed forces.[2]

History

Membership cost five shillings and members were pledged to 'fight for right till right be won', a call against disaffection in the progress and conduct of the war.[3] The movement also advocated thrift in wartime.

An early meeting of the movement took place at the Aeolian Hall concert venue in London and musical composition and performance played an important part in the group's work. Edward Elgar composed "Fight for Right" for the group, to a text by William Morris, while Hubert Parry turned to William Blake and composed "Jerusalem" for the movement, with both first performed on 21 March 1916 at a rally at Queen's Hall.

Many of the leading members of the movement were connected with Britain's War Propaganda Bureau, known as Wellington House.

Some early members such as Parry later became disaffected[4] and the movement did not survive the war.

List of early supporters

References

  1. ↑ Geoffrey, Watson. "Notes and Queries". The Guardian. Retrieved 24 April 2016.
  2. ↑ "THE FIGHT FOR RIGHT MOVEMENT". The Spectator Archive. The Spectator. Retrieved 24 April 2016.
  3. ↑ "THE FIGHT FOR RIGHT MOVEMENT". The Spectator Archive. The Spectator. Retrieved 24 April 2016.
  4. ↑ "World War One: the Cultural Front - 3-3 Dada and Defiance". iPlayer. BBC Radio 4. Retrieved 24 April 2016.

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