Destination Unknown: The Diary of Gunner Bates R.H.A. 1914 - Softcover

Humfrey, Peter

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1449000509 ISBN 13: 9781449000509

Publisher: AuthorHouse, 2009

Synopsis

Ted Bates joined the Royal Horse Artillery in 1910. Moving to France in August 1914 with the British Expeditionary Force, he fought in battles at Mons, Le Cateau, the Marne and the Aisne. In October 1914 the Brigade marched to Ypres and there faced the German forces across the Flanders fields. Ted was shot and blinded on 21st October 1914 at Ypres. In his diary Ted describes the events of each day, in retreat and in advance, in defence and in the heat of battle. With humour and humanity he reveals the skill and professionalism of the regular solider, and his loyalty to his comrades and compassion for victims. The author, Ted's grandson, sets each day in the context of the campaign. The causes and effects of military decisions flow through the daily events of the soldier's life in battle. This book covers the campaign up to the end of the First Battle of Ypres in November 1914. Photos and maps illustrate the stages of the campaign.

About this title

About the Author:

As a child Peter Humfrey met his blind grandfather and was later given his diary from the first months of World War 1. He kept the diary and its press cuttings for many years until he more recently decided to follow his grandfather's footsteps from Mons to Ypres. He found that today all is calm and the villages and roads and indeed the battlefields mainly empty. This puzzling and somewhat disappointing experience lead him to the National Archives and the Imperial War Museum to discover in detail the events and characters of the important moments of the Great War through the Army War Diaries and the diaries and papers of those with whom his grandfather served. The author has written a number of books and articles on religion, education and spirituality. In his teaching of history and religion, he has used the diary as an aid and prompt to engage especially young people in a consideration of war and its consequences. He writes now with conviction and compassion about his discovery of humanity and spirituality in the face of great danger. He seeks to set one man's personal experience of war in the context of great events and personalities. He believes the telling of this experience from the past gives hope and encouragement for the future.

About this edition

• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Publication date: 2009
• ISBN 10: 1449000509
• ISBN 13: 9781449000509
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 228