The Sherwood Foresters in the Great War 1914 - 1919

At the outbreak of the Great War, the 1/8th Battalion of the Sherwood Foresters sprang from the ranks of young gentlemen, yeomen and artisans drawn from Nottinghamshire’s towns and countryside. Within days of the call to arms, the battalion mobilised, marched fully equipped, and began an intense period of training at Harpenden and in Essex that forged a remarkable esprit de corps. The author, Captain Weetman, captures the energy of those early weeks, describing how volunteers transformed into a disciplined fighting force ready for the trenches.

Weetman's narrative blends vivid anecdotes with official reports, giving listeners a sense of the battalion’s camaraderie and the challenges of early front‑line service. Praise from senior generals underscores how this Territorial unit earned respect alongside regular regiments, while personal reminiscences reveal the humanity behind the uniforms. The book offers a compelling snapshot of a community answering its duty, making the story as much about shared resolve as about military manoeuvre.