Sir Henry Newbolt was a historian of great repute, a poet of renown and an authority on military matters; he was chosen to write for the British Government on many occasions including on the official Naval History of the Great War. He was also a member of the Propaganda Department of the Government, he wrote this book from actual incidents to illustrate the gallantry and victories of the British Army and Navy to generate public support for the war effort. From the seaborne battles with the German raider the Emben to the major battle at Jutland, to the battles in France and Flanders at Mons, Ypres and the Loos.