Apocalypse 10 lives - Learning resource files

Vera Pringle

  • Nationality: British
  • Birth date: March 22, 1891
  • Family/social situation:

    Her father, Charles, holds a high position at the House of Commons; her mother, Susan, is a suffragette; her brother, Dave, wants to become a diplomat.

  • Occupation:

    Student, then cryptanalyst.

Biographical elements of the character
Elements of the historical context

  • August 3, 1914

    Indoor veranda of the Pringles’ house, London, England.
    The Pringles are at table, talking. Charles reads the newspaper.

  • Peace demonstrations. Europe in crisis at the beginning of 1914. The British Empire and the resistance shaking it. War breaks out. The growing power of the United States. The United Kingdom’s declaration of war.

  • November 30, 1914

    Indoor veranda of the Pringles’ house, London.
    Vera and Susan are preparing a meal in the kitchen when the mailman arrives.

  • The stark reality of war. The death of a loved one.

  • May 20, 1915

    Indoor veranda of the Pringles’ house, London.
    Charles faces the joint will of Vera and Susan, who are determined to become involved in the war effort.

  • Emmeline Pankhurst, suffragettes, and the rise of feminism in the United Kingdom. Employment of women in munitions factories.

  • February 10, 1916

    The old British Admiralty Building, London.
    Vera meets the head of the Criminal Investigation Department at Scotland Yard.

  • The British Secret Service. Cryptanalysis, espionage. Basil Thomson.

  • July 1, 1916

    Vera’s room, London.
    Susan comforts Vera, who has awakened from a nightmare.

  • The bombing of London. The Battle of the Somme.

  • February 20, 1917

    The old British Admiralty Building, London.
    Meeting with Basil Thomson and representatives of the American wartime  information  service.

  • Alfred Ewing. The Zimmerman telegram. The All Red Line. The United States enters the war.

  • August 4, 1917

    Indoor veranda of the Pringles’ house, London.
    Susan and Vera are drinking tea.

    CRISS-CROSSING A LIFE

  • The brutality of combat at the Somme. The film, The Battle of the Somme. The desire for peace. The Russian withdrawal from the conflict and the German offensive in the west.

  • January 28, 1919

    Indoor veranda of the Pringles’ house, London.
    Officers of Scotland Yard arrive at the Pringles’ home.

  • The Allied Siberian Expedition. The White Russians fight the Red Army.