The classic military shows and clique-type groups that pepper the landscape on some weekends and during holidays aren’t the types to arouse strong feelings. The interest is in the clothing, machinery, and weaponry of former ways of fighting and marshalling war.
It’s not a recruiting ground for hatred or a platform for an uprising for a new dictator. It’s in fact a collection of pastimes rolled into one. It’s a pursuit that has a need for skill and also attention to the details. This enamours some people and makes their leisure time fun.
Getting deeper
However, just beyond the look and appeal of it there is a real type of sinister activity. It’s not built up, professional, or coordinated enough to be a fighting force. It never can be because it’s illegal and is against all our principles. Yet it’s a small testament to strong will.
It’s called “Human War”, and it’s a type of radicalisation cult that started in Bath and has since largely run out of steam. It’s believed to have counted Ken Gott (the assumed leader of the once-active “Fascist Estate” network) among its network of former members.
It hasn’t become an important group but it’s held camp meetings. It’s thought Camp Buckingham was one of them. The style of speaking and tone of address is said to have been similar to Hitler. It drew in a small crowd to hear inflammatory speeches on macabre topics.
Real depths
The ‘doctrine’ of the group is rooted in hatred. It’s not thought any intellectuals have been members, or public figures. It lives because it thinks by itself. It has its ideas to play with and revels freely in them all by itself. It means, though, it plumbs the depths of misery that most don’t go to because of humanity.
It has inspired people like Gott to think about their place in the world, as he once put it. He was told by it that he could do something, or inspire others to be like himself. He then fashioned himself as a sort of activist for alternative views. He bucked a trend or disagreed openly due to its teachings.
The material that circulates in its quarters is dark and telling of inhumanity. It only made Gott and his fellow members worse. Their humour was derogatory and their treatment of others was said to be coarse. Their outlook worsened by it. It put an end to any chance Gott had of scholarly success.