A Soldier's Sketches Under Fire

A vivid, hand‑drawn record of the First World War, this volume offers listeners a rare glimpse into the front line through the eyes of a soldier‑artist who set aside his easel for a rifle. The sketches are raw and unembellished, capturing moments that photographs could never show—sudden attacks, fleeting retreats, and the cramped reality of trench life. Accompanying notes are written in a straightforward, modest tone, letting the images speak for themselves while adding just enough context to bring each scene to life.

The collection begins with the journey from Southampton to Malta, detailing the cramped decks, horse boxes, and the nervous anticipation of a young private heading to an unknown battlefield. From there it moves into the early days of trench warfare, offering both tense “exciting” episodes and lighter, human‑scale observations of comrades sharing jokes, meals, and small comforts amid the danger. Listeners will feel the immediacy of a front‑line diary, where every line drawn was taken under real risk, preserving a powerful, personal portrait of war.