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Arthur: The Great War Memoirs of William Arthur Human
William Arthur Human was 22 years old and serving as a British soldier in India when war broke out in 1914.
This is his story, in his own words, covering his first eight months on the Western Front and featuring the Battle of Neuve Chapelle.
An extraordinarily vivid account that is heartfelt, captivating, and challenging in equal measure.
“Nowadays - when I think of it - it gives me a shiver down my back. I wonder how a man could live through it all and yet be sane.”
Written by William Arthur Human
Transcribed by his great-grandson Stephen Reynolds
Any author profits will be donated to the British Legion.
This is his story, in his own words, covering his first eight months on the Western Front and featuring the Battle of Neuve Chapelle.
An extraordinarily vivid account that is heartfelt, captivating, and challenging in equal measure.
“Nowadays - when I think of it - it gives me a shiver down my back. I wonder how a man could live through it all and yet be sane.”
Written by William Arthur Human
Transcribed by his great-grandson Stephen Reynolds
Any author profits will be donated to the British Legion.
122 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 23, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
October 27, 2019
Am I really writing a review of my own book?! Well, no. Thankfully not. Whilst I am honoured to have played a small part in publishing this extraordinary work, it is the writing of my late great-grandfather; Arthur.
Earlier this year I was privileged to spend six months or so transcribing his WW1 memoirs from handwritten letters over 100 years old. When I began, the intention was to have perhaps ten copies printed off for family members. However, it didn't take long for me to realise that this was a very special account from a very special man. Arthur was serving as a British soldier in India when war broke out in 1914. The memoirs join him as he embarks from Karachi docks and heads for France. They cover his first eight months on the Western Front and include the Battle of Neuve Chapelle.
His writing captivated me completely and is - in my opinion - an exceptionally powerful, heartfelt, challenging and moving account.
Whatever I go on to write myself from here on in, the experience of transcribing Arthur's memoirs will remain the most significant of my life. I hope my efforts have done him justice.
Earlier this year I was privileged to spend six months or so transcribing his WW1 memoirs from handwritten letters over 100 years old. When I began, the intention was to have perhaps ten copies printed off for family members. However, it didn't take long for me to realise that this was a very special account from a very special man. Arthur was serving as a British soldier in India when war broke out in 1914. The memoirs join him as he embarks from Karachi docks and heads for France. They cover his first eight months on the Western Front and include the Battle of Neuve Chapelle.
His writing captivated me completely and is - in my opinion - an exceptionally powerful, heartfelt, challenging and moving account.
Whatever I go on to write myself from here on in, the experience of transcribing Arthur's memoirs will remain the most significant of my life. I hope my efforts have done him justice.
September 29, 2020
A very interesting book. It give a true insight into what life and death was Really like for the men in the trenches. How they survived that carnage and lived a normal life when and if the returned is beyond belief. We complain about restrictions imposed because of COVID-19, we have no idea what hardship means. I salute Arthur and all his comrades for what they endured during WWI.
October 23, 2020
Solid read
Good account of what it was like to fight in WW1. Ranks as a useful educational companion to the BBC interviews of WW1 veterans.
Good account of what it was like to fight in WW1. Ranks as a useful educational companion to the BBC interviews of WW1 veterans.
March 25, 2022
Incredible book, a great memoir. This really shows the struggle of the WWI soldiers, what they endured and what they had to overcome. The death and destruction was incredible and this comes out well in the book. A tough one to put down.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews