Patrick MacGill (1891–1963)

Brilliant evocation of life in the trenches at the Western Front in World War 1. McGill was a stretcher-bearer with the London Irish Regiment and he details the events before and after the battle of Loos in September 1915. The book details the horror of trench warfare interlaced with humour as McGill and his comrades live on the edge of death daily . This a classic war novel which conveys the resilience of men including the author as they experience the tragic loss of friends and comrades in show more that terrible war. show less

An interesting read and uplifting in many ways. He has conveyed the sheer dismay of this section of society and the dismal existence of Britain's poor only 100 years (only two or three generations ago). Thank those early pioneers for the Socialists, the Unions and the educationalists.

A brilliant book about hardship and paths chosen. Inspirational and an insight into life before unions.