MY BIT: A Lancashire Fusilier at War 1914-18

by George Ashurst, Richard Holmes (Editor)

George Ashurst served with the Lancashire Fusiliers, taking part in First Ypres, Gallipoli and the Somme, and enduring months of trench warfare on the Western Front, making numerous grim and dangerous patrols into no man's land. His memoirs vividly reveal the reality of life in the trenches and the feelings of those who had to suffer it. Ashurst was often frightened and uncertain, occasionally infuriated by the 'shirking' amongst the officers, was usually ready for a cigarette or drink, but when his battalion attacked he would not shrink from his duty. My Bit is a fascinating and moving first-hand account of the First World War written by a working-class soldier.

Genres: World War I, History, Military History

148 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 15, 2008

Reviews

[Roger Woods · Rating 5 out of 5]

My great grandfather Roger Cowpe served with the Lancashire Fusiliers in the First World War and was gassed. I am told that he would never speak of his experiences. So, I was interested to read this account from George Ashurst who served throughout the war with the Lancashire Fusiliers and lived until the age of 93 years when he died in 1988. He served in many theatres of the war and his memoirs vividly reveal the reality of the grim life of the trenches. He was wounded twice, gassed, had frozen feet and endured the agonies of dysentry but kept on right to the end being promoted to sergeant. He was in training to become a commissioned officer when the war ended. In later life he became a railwayman and then had a number of part time jobs until he retired aged 80 years. He married a local girl after the war and they had a daughter and a son who died in infancy. His account is almost matter of fact and it is impossible to imagine what the soldiers at the front went through doing their duty. He has a few crisp comments about some officers who enjoyed a more comfortable time away from the direct action. A fascinating account which does not pull any punches.

[Christopher Cockrum · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very straightforward. Allegedly, I am related to this person so this account holds an added bit of intrigue.