Description
Book SynopsisBetween the 1930s and 1980s, folk singer Jock Duncan interviewed around 60 veterans of the First World War, mainly in his native North East of Scotland.
He then spent many years transcribing his interviews in the rich variations of Scots in which they were spoken. The result, published here, is a unique and illuminating collection of first- hand witness testimony to the horror, and humour, of the Great War.
Co-published with the European Ethnological Research Centre
Trade Review' … The result is a series of stories which enable the reader to imagine hearing the tales being told directly to the author, at first by young men recently returned home, then later, buy those who carried the scars of that conflict for over half a century.' Scottish Archives
' … The result is as gripping and involving as any oral history you will read. Some of it is almost torturously harrowing, but there are many lighter moments as well.' The Living Tradition
'I have been engrossed in this book for some weeks, finding it fascinating from a historical perspective as well as profoundly moving. … Because of what it records and how it represents it, I believe this book is of national importance.' James Robertson in Scottish Review of Books
' … [the vernacular] provides an immediacy that serves to bring the characters to life. … gives an intimate insight into the minds and attitudes of men who were there.' University of Edinburgh Journal
' … Overall the reflections are certainly worth reading: they are, as Gary West observes, strikingly free from bitterness or "politically infused questioning" (p.10), and preserve a staunchly positive self-image of the Highland soldier.' Scottish Historical Studies
Table of Contents Acknowledgements List of Illustrations Notes on Language Glossary Introduction by Gary West JOCK'S JOCKS 1 List of Veterans 2 Pre War: Life before the War 3 Training 4 First time in the Line 5 Mons to the Marne 6 Neuve Chapelle, Festubert and Aubers Ridge 7 Gallipoli, Egypt and Salonica 1915-18 8 Mesopotamia 1916-18 9 Italy 1917-18 10 Battle of Loos 11 Battle of the Somme: High Wood and Beaumont-Hamel 12 Arras: Vimy ridge, Scarpe River and the Hindenburg Line 13 Third Battle of Ypres 14 Battle of Cambrai 15 Great German Push, 21 March 1918 and Onwards 16 Wounded and Sick 17 Horses and Mules 18 Behind the Lines 19 On Leave 20 Medals 21 Vermin 22 In the Line 23 Over the Top 24 Conditions at the Front 25 Entertainment 26 Officers 27 Sixth Sense 28 Prisoners 29 Enemies and Allies 30 Laughs 31 The Bull Ring 32 Supplies 33 Patrols 34 Unusual Events 35 Comrades 36 Armistice and after the War Notes Bibliography Index of Contributors Index Other Titles
