Mud, Blood and Bullets: Memoirs of a Machine Gunner on the Western Front

by Edward Rowbotham, Janet Tucker (Editor)

It is 1915 and the Great War has been raging for a year when Edward Rowbotham, a coal miner from the Midlands, volunteers for Kitchener's Army. Drafted into the newly-formed Machine Gun Corps, he is sent to fight in places whose names will forever be associated with mud, blood, and Ypres, the Somme, and Passchendaele.He is one of the "lucky" ones, surviving more than two-and-a-half years of the terrible slaughter that left nearly a million British soldiers dead by 1918 and wiped out all but six of his original company. He wrote these memoirs 50 years later, but found his memories of life in the trenches had not diminished at all. The sights and sounds of battle, the excitement, the terror, the extraordinary comradeship, are all vividly described as if they had happened to him only yesterday. They offer a rare perspective of the First World War from an ordinary soldier's viewpoint.

Genres: World War I, History, Memoir, Military History, War, Military Fiction

192 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2010

Reviews

[Peter Fox · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an enjoyable book. It's not all about the first world war. In fact the war section only fills half the book and of this, actual fighting only forms a small part.

Instead this is a nice little social history/autobiography. The pre-war account of growing up in the West Mids is interesting in itself. Although without the wit of Pit Yakker, an autobiography from County Durham.

When it comes to the war, it is a series of anecdotes, most of which are about the things that were important to soldiers, getting sleep, warmth, food and a cushy number. In this Rowbotham was a typical soldier, less concerned about deeds of daring do and more bothered about securing an improvement to his lot.

[Robert M. Roth MD · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting and enjoyable

This book reflects the experiences of a common British soldier during World War I. The book was written in his retirement, fifty years after the war ended. That said, it is a refreshing read about life in the trenches and is peppered with interesting stories. The book also provides a snapshot of his life after the conclusion of the war. Well worth the purchase.

[Raymond Burger · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredible, rich and compelling depiction of life in WW1 from a gentleman and a scholar of a man. Written 50 years after the war, Sir Edward, made such an experience vivid with much of the focus being on life on the western front at a fast paced, enlightenment charged rendition. No blood and gore but rather a great story.

Love to this family for putting this together.

May they never grow old...

[Patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

First hand account written by t Edward Rowbotham, a coal miner from the Midlands, who volunteers for Kitchener's Army at the age of 15.. Drafted into the newly-formed Machine Gun Corps, he is sent to fight in Ypres, the Somme, and Passchendaele. He is one of the "lucky" ones, surviving more than two-and-a-half years of the terrible slaughter that left nearly a million British soldiers dead by 1918 and wiped out all but six of his original company.

[Douglas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story. Very interesting to read a bit about the occupation of parts of Germany after the war.

[Robert Trickett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy reading

Great recount of memories from the life and trenches of an everyday hero. I truly enjoyed the balance of war and home experiences.

[R_ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This memoir is a fascinating glimpse into a ground-level (literally) soldier's view of WW1. It is also a window to life in another time, not too long ago. Janet Tucker lovingly assembled her grandfather Edward Rowbotham's handwritten memories of his life and the central event he lived through -- fighting for three grueling years in the trenches of Northern France during WW1. Amazing! One gets a clear impression of just how decent a man he was (even war couldn't change that) and how human beings can persevere through just about anything. There is a certain Christian nature to this account. Rowbothom might credit the divine for seeing him through, but he is subtle here-- this isn't an overtly spiritual book. Like many influences in his life, he seems to mention his Christianity in a matter-of-fact way. Very enjoyable -- I just wish Ms. Tucker had included some of the photos she refers to in "Acknowledgements" section. I think they would have added a poignant touch.

[Evelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Much more than just a war story. This is a fascinating 'slice of life' from the point of view of a nice, normal person.

[Chris Porter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent account if his time before, during and after WW1. Really well written, it engages throughout. If you love history, you'll enjoy this .

[Michael sean pettersen · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great book

it was a fascinating story that held me spellbound and made me feel like I was reading about my own granddad's life