Kaminski, J. (2020). The National Diamond Factory: The rehabilitation of Great War amputees in Brighton (1917–1924). Sussex Archaeological Collections 158. Vol 158, Sussex Archaeological Society. pp. 215-232. https://doi.org/10.5284/1094252. Cite this via datacite
| Title: | The National Diamond Factory: The rehabilitation of Great War amputees in Brighton (1917–1924) | ||
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| Issue: | Sussex Archaeological Collections 158 | ||
| Series: | Sussex Archaeological Collections | ||
| Volume: | 158 | ||
| Page Start/End: | 215 - 232 | ||
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| Publication Type: | Journal | ||
| Abstract: | The First World War cast a long shadow over Britain. Over 750,000 returned from the war permanently disabled, and of those, nearly 41,000 men lost one or more limbs. These servicemen were especially at risk of long-term unemployment. Limited by inadequate funding, the vast number of disabled veterans, and the complexity of their training needs, the Government had few plans for their rehabilitation. Much of the responsibility for disabled veterans would fall to charities and philanthropic individuals. One such individual was Bernard Oppenheimer (1866–1921), a South African-British diamond magnate and philanthropist. In 1917, Oppenheimer established a scheme for training disabled soldiers and sailors in diamond cutting and polishing in Brighton. Such work was well-suited for those who had lost legs or had sustained other disabling injuries but retained free use of both arms and perfect sight. Oppenheimer hoped that the factory would support disabled ex-servicemen and establish a new industry that could bring foreign exchange into the country. This article considers the development and eventual decline of Oppenheimer’s Diamond Factory in Brighton. | ||
| Year of Publication: | 2020 | ||
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| Source: |
ADS Archive
(ADS Archive)
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| Created Date: | 26 May 2022 |
