J. E. Hodder-Williams

Short book describing the First World War experiences of a perfectly ordinary British Tommy, Sydney Baxter, in the trenches, following his experiences from his first training and going to France within a few weeks up his being invalided back to Blighty after being wounded on the Somme in July 1916. The book is told largely through letters home to his mum, and his own descriptions, and was printed for private circulation in 1917. His likeability and stoicism shine through clearly - his lack of resentment at those still at home, his calm acceptance of the conditions under which he lives, his comradeship with his close mates, and, at the end, the remarkable way in which he faces up to his injuries, described thus in a letter written to the office in which he was to return as a clerk by autumn 1916:

"The sight of my right eye has completely gone out, but as long as the left one keeps as it is I shall not be seriously handicapped. My glass eye will be an acceptable ornament. The left hand will mend in time; when healed, it will be pushed and squeezed into its original shape. Apart from the wounds I feel very well, and my rapid recovery has surprised all. The first three days in France were critical, and mother was sent for. However, I pulled through and feel as active as ever—at least, I do whilst in bed."… (más)