The last of my Christmas books. This volume comprises the letters and diaries of an officer of the Gordon Highlanders. He had joined as a second lieutenant in 1912 and was serving with his battalion in Egypt at the outbreak of war. They arrived in France in October 1914 and other than while recovering from wounds he served continuously until the Armistice in 1918 by which time he was a 28 year old Lt. Colonel commanding his battalion.
This book is a wonderful account of a brave and distinguished soldier's life in the trenches for four long years. Apart from the narratives of the fighting , there are many interesting references to his personal life and experiences. The book is edited by his son , also a distinguished soldier, and was originally published in 1990.
This is without doubt one of the best books I have ever read on the First World War by any soldier. With his continuous service, numerous medals and rapid promotions he was clearly a very competent officer. This enables a narrative that covers not only the actual fighting but also includes intelligent comment on the overall conduct of the war including the apparently endless mistakes by both politicians and generals inevitable in an army that grew so suddenly from an imperial police force to a multi million strong body.
A very highly recommended book to all those interested in the First World War.
Thanjks for the review - I have read a lot of books on the First World War and think personal accounts like this are the best. I will have to look this one out
ReplyDeleteIan.. Yes this is one of the best I have ever read, highly recommended. Regards Tony
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