THE BRITISH SOLDIER His Courage and Humour BY Rev. E.J. HARDY, M.A. Chaplain to the Forces (Retired) Author of "How to be Happy though Married," "Mr. Thomas Atkins," etc. etc. "Nous entendons dire de tous côtés que vos pauvres Tommies se battent comme des lions et que chaque jour ils font des exploits magnifiques. Ils sont bons garçons et tres drôles."--(_Extract from a French lady's letter._) LONDON: T. FISHER UNWIN 1 ADELPHI TERRACE W.C. _First published in 1915_ (_All rights reserved._) TO THOSE WHO HAVE GIVEN THEIR LIVES OR THEIR HEALTH TO SAVE CIVILISATION FROM BARBARISM THIS BOOK IS DEDICATED CONTENTS CHAPTER PAGE PREFACE ix I. UP TO SAMPLE 1 II. COURAGE 7 III. COURAGE AND DISCIPLINE 17 IV. BOYS OF THE BULLDOG BREED 29 V. FACING FEARFUL ODDS 37 VI. FIGHTS TO A FINISH 45 VII. CAVALRY CHARGES 52 VIII. GRIT AND GUNS 57 IX. GALLANTRY OF INDIVIDUALS 68 X. SELF PUT ASIDE 78 XI. BROTHERS-IN-ARMS 91 XII. UNDER FIRE 101 XIII. "I'VE GOT IT" 110 XIV. FROM FEAR TO HEROISM 117 XV. UNCOMMON COMBATS 123 XVI. IN THE TRENCHES 132 XVII. NOT DOWNHEARTED 142 XVIII. PLAY AND WORK 148 XIX. WAR AS A GAME 158 XX. THE COURAGE THAT BEARS 164 XXI. IN A MILITARY HOSPITAL 170 XXII. READY TO RETURN 176 XXIII. FASHIONS AT THE FRONT 182 XXIV. GRAPHIC DESCRIPTIONS 189 XXV. UNCONSCIOUS HUMORISTS 199 XXVI. NICKNAMES 209 XXVII. TENDER-HEARTED BECAUSE BRAVE 213 XXVIII. WHAT THE FRENCH AND BELGIANS THINK 228 PREFACE