Too Few for Drums

by R.F. Delderfield

This tale of the Peninsular Campaigns of the Napoleonic Wars offers unforgettable adventure. A group of ten set out to wend their way out from behind French lines in Portugal and back to the British Army. In the lead is young ensign Keith Graham, trying desperately to elude capture and certain death. At his side is beautiful, smart, experienced—a woman of the world.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, War, 19th Century, Military Fiction, Historical

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1964

About the author

Ronald Frederick Delderfield was a popular English novelist and dramatist, many of whose works have been adapted for television and are still widely read.

Several of Delderfield's historical novels and series involve young men who return from war and lead lives in England that allow the author to portray the sweep of English history and delve deeply into social history from the Edwardian era to the early 1960s.

From Wikipedia

Reviews

[Chrisl · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Shall they return to beatings of great bells
In wild train-loads?
A few, a few, too few for drums and yells,
May creep back, silent, to village wells.
Up half-known roads."

Wilfred Owen
"The Send-Off"

Re-read - Delderfield's tale of British soldiers behind enemy lines in war ravaged Portugal. Set in 1810, when a starving French army has again ravaged the countrywide, where the hiding "locals" might actually be Spanish bandits.

Stranded on the North side of the Tagus, the diverse squad of Redcoats is being brutally culled. When an "army wife" joins them, she is much more than a camp follower, she could be the most experienced strategist, tactician ...

One of Delderfield's tight, low page count stories, it is among my favorite Napoleonic tales. If you know Delderfield for only his sprawling family sagas, this could be a pleasant surprise.

Readers who appreciated Forester's similar story might also appreciate this book
Rifleman Dodd

For me, this tale fits in a niche below Delderfield's other fictional Napoleonic setting, the one told from a French perspective.
Seven Men of Gascony

[Ron Wroblewski · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this short easy to read novel by Delderfield. A story about a small unit of British soldiers cut off from their unit in Portugal during the wars with the armies of Napoleon. Plenty of action. Delderfield is one of my favorite authors. How they figured out the solution to each obstacle reminds me of an old fashioned McGriver.

[Stevelee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Years ago, I read Seven Men from Gascony by Delderfield and thought it was great. For some reason, I had low expectations for Too Few for Drums but was pleasantly surprised. It was a terrific tale -- captivating storytelling, lessons for military leadership, and insights into human nature and the power of camaraderie. The character of Gwyneth, who remained true to her nature throughout, was the highlight, sort of a Napoleonic Era, Annie Savoy from the 1988 Bull Durham movie.

[Gale · Rating 3 out of 5]

“The Brotherhood of the File”

Set during the Napoleonic era on land this adventure story transports readers to the Iberian Peninsula as the British Army is preparing for the siege of Lisbon. When his captain is brought down by a sniper Ensign Keith Graham at 19 suddenly finds himself the leader of a woeful band of survivors who lack direction. Unprepared for leadership and inexperienced in actual warfare the plucky youth must rally his wits to bring a group of nine to relative safety. Cut off from the rest of the outfit by the premature demolition of the only bridge over a river, they face the daunting task of crossing hostile territory, where both nature and enemy forces-–Portuguese partisans and trained French soldiers—conspire for their ignoble defeat.

This coming-of-age novel is ripe with surprise twists and evil schemes—revealing the gamut of human emotions: lust, avarice, cowardice, passion, heroism and self-sacrifice. During his perilous odyssey toward British lines Graham comes to rely on two people in particular for group survival in rugged, ultra hostile countryside: the veteran Sgt. Fox and the Welsh camp follower, Gwyneth, whose innate knowledge of men and military tactics makes her his secret second in command. Her womanly wisdom and domestic skills prove invaluable for the File, yet it is her feisty compassion for his inadequacies which catapults Graham into manhood.

The underlying theme of this book is that of the brotherhood of the Regiment which gradually becomes Graham’s new family and claims his deepest devotion. Each member has different talents to exploit which contribute to their group survival. In his desperate attempts during this trek to the British fleet on the Tagus River Graham finds his personal courage while discovering the meaning--and cost--of loyalty. With a few loose threads dangling Delderfield almost sets us up for a sequel, This book proves a great read for lovers of historical fiction—what Forester has done for the British Navy, Delderfield has done for the Army!

(August 2, 2012. I welcome dialogue with teachers.)

[Larry Epp · Rating 4 out of 5]

19 year old subaltern Keith Graham gets cut off from the main body of English troops after battle at Busaco Portugal during the Peninsula campaign of the Napoleonic war. Along with sergeant, 7 privates and camp follower Gwyneth, Graham makes his way back to Lisbon through death, capture, escape, hunger etc. -- lessons learned, coming of age, lots of historical detail, place detail. Good read!

[Philip Talmage · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fairly slight tale (but seemingly historically accurate enough) about a small group of British soldiers cut off during Wellington's retreat in 1810 to the Lines of Torres Vedras, which had been secretly built to defend Lisbon from the French invaders led by Masséna. The British and Portuguese defenders carried out a scorched-earth retreat, in which our small and ultimately heroic band is cut off behind the advancing French troops, fewer than half of them ultimately reaching safety.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another of Delderfield's Napoleonic War novels. This one is the story of a 19 year old ensign trying to get himself, eight other soldiers and a camp follower back to English lines through territory full of partisans and French soldiers. Very well written, lots of action, full of exciting encounters.

[J V Woods · Rating 3 out of 5]

Delderfield not at his best.

I did not enjoy this book. I got bored about a third of the way through. I never thought I would not like one of his novels. I will leave it to others to express their thoughts. It did not give any real history of the Napoleonic wars.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Napoleonic war. Also bloody and sad, but somehow more inspiring and less heart-rending than many. It involves a camp-follower, a very green ensign in the British army, and an intriguing combination of common soldiers returning to the British from behind enemy lines.

[John Milliner · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting story, for those who would like to know more about this period Cornwall's magnificent Sharp series takes you though all the battles of the Peninsula leading up to Waterloo.

[Faith Mortimer · Rating 3 out of 5]

A tale about a band of soldiers and a camp follower struggling to join up with their Army in Spain (Napoleon's days).
They have a particularly harrowing time and their numbers dwindle as the days pass by.
A bit like a Bernard Cornwall novel except written in a much tighter style.
You get the feeling of being there and becoming part of the little band. A bit tedious towards the end, made even more difficult to read due to the strange publication. Each page was almost a paragraph without any breaks.
OK ish.

[Rusty · Rating 3 out of 5]

A story of the chaotic turbulence during Napoleon's life. There were ten people - nine men and a woman - trapped behind French lines doomed to capture and execution unless they can reach the British army. Keith Graham, a young ensign, finds himself in charge of leading the group. He is helped by Gwyneth, a widowed camp follower, beautiful, cunning and very willing to teach him a bit about manhood. This is a suspense-filled tale that is a delight to read.

[Jo · Rating 3 out of 5]

This novel follows a group of soldiers, led by Ensign Graham, who are cut off from their regiment and desperate to try and join up with them. They come across a camp follower who accompanies them after the death of her fella and what follows is tale of derring do, hardship and triumph. I did wonder whilst reading this if the book inspired Bernard Cornwell's Sharpe series although I think Cornwell is the superior writer. This was good but nothing spectacular.

[Keith · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this many years ago when I was in high school, but I could never remember the title until now (I knew the author). It was enjoyable but I sure can't recall the details. One of my first samplings of historical novels, I think.

[Owen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Still one of the best depictions of the experience of stragglers in the Iberian Peninsular and the characters still leap from the page, with their vivid personalities.

[Jennifer Garrett · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very good read. I've read a lot of RL Delderfield book, a long time ago. They always have a good story to tell and strong characters. This, although about the Peninsula War against Napoleon, is a bit more lightweight, but still worth reading. The central character is a young Ensign and a camp follower called Gwynneth is the major character who helps and influences him. It is quite a slim volume. Would certainly recommend this book.