Tag Archives: Memoir
Reflections of a Rifleman – Part 5
How much could be written about trench life, revelation in human endurance, and sublime heroism, lit by flashes of humour, but grim tragedy predominating – full to the brim, pressed down, and overflowing. Surely no dwelling ever held such a … Continue reading
Reflections of a Rifleman – Part 4
“A Chiel’s amang you takin’ notes and, faith, he’ll prent it.” – Burns Our trek ended some few miles beyond the Belgian frontier at a camp of crude, draughty huts. The whole district for miles around was full of such … Continue reading
Reflections of a Rifleman – Part 3
Our Division being at length relieved, we retraced our steps across the immortal battlefields that compose the desolate wastes of the Somme, and after a brief halt at Albert we joined the battalion at the little French village of Francevilliers. … Continue reading
Reflections of a Rifleman – Part 2
Albert in peace times, I should think, was a fairly prosperous town. Now it is merely a heap of ruins, the railway station being about the best preserved structure. The most remarkable feature is the modern red cathedral, nearly battered … Continue reading
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Tagged Albert, Fowler, High Wood, London Irish, Mametz Wood, Memoir, Somme
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Reflections of a Rifleman – Part 1
Whilst trawling the local paper for information about Carshalton in the First World War, I came across an article published in March 1918 titled ‘Reflections of a Rifleman.’ It was written by Lance Corporal Joseph Fowler, C Company, 1/18th London … Continue reading
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