With a Reservist in France / A Personal Account of All the Engagements in Which the 1st Division 1st Corps Took Part, viz.: Mons (Including the Retirement), the Marne, the Aisne, First Battle of Ypres, Neuve Chapelle, Festubert, and Loos

The Project Gutenberg eBook, With a Reservist in France, by F. A. Bolwell
WITH A RESERVIST IN FRANCE
A PERSONAL ACCOUNT OF ALL THE ENGAGEMENTS IN WHICH THE 1ST DIVISION 1ST CORPS TOOK PART, VIZ.: MONS (INCLUDING THE RETIREMENT), THE MARNE, THE AISNE, FIRST BATTLE OF YPRES, NEUVE CHAPELLE, FESTUBERT, AND LOOS
BY F. A. BOLWELL
WITH SIX SKETCH MAPS BY THE AUTHOR
LONDON: GEORGE ROUTLEDGE & SONS, LTD. NEW YORK: E. P. DUTTON & CO.
TO THE LATE COLONEL KNIGHT AND OFFICERS OF THE LOYAL NORTH LANCASHIRE

CHAPTER I THE CALL, AND THE START


Being a Reservist, I was naturally called to the colours on the outbreak of war between England and Germany on August 4th, 1914, so I downed tools; and, although a married man with two children, I was only too pleased to be able to leave a more or less monotonous existence for something more exciting and adventurous. Being an old soldier, war was of course more or less ingrained into my nature, and during those few days before the final declaration I was at fever heat and longing to be away.