Description
Book SynopsisMerry Hell is a captivating tale for those who enjoy stories of war and battle, and one that will entertain readers with Clements's richly colourful anecdotes and witty poems, none of which have been published before.
Trade Review'I enjoyed reading every page of Merry Hell - couldn't put it down, really. Part history and part memoir, it is a singular contribution to our knowledge of the First World War and those who fought it. Anyone who calls himself or herself a First World War historian will read this book with a smile of satisfaction on their face - it just rings true and genuine, and is more immediate than existing studies. And for those who haven't read much on the First World War, at least at the battalion history level, this will be a revelation.' -- Steve Harris, Chief Historian, Directorate of History and Heritage, Department of National Defence 'Merry Hell is an amazing book... As we approach the 100th anniversary of the start of the First World War, Merry Hell is an invaluable addition to the literature of that war and Nova Scotia's role in it.' -- John Boileau The Chronicle Herald, September 14, 2013 'Merry Hell is a well written book that can be used for casual reading or academic study... It is rare to come across such a book, especially in the study of history.' -- Erich N. Lenz Canadian Military History vol 25:01:2016 'Canadians everywhere, and not just those of us in Nova Scotia, owe a debt of gratitude to Robert Clements for writing this book - and to Brian Tennyson for placing it so resolutely in the public realm. This is a work permitting us to see with searing clarity the vile nature and devastating toll of modern warfare.' -- Wilf Cude The Antigonish Review #180 'This is a useful contribution to our understanding of the experiences of that generation of young Canadians who marched off to war 100 years ago.' -- Patrick Brennan University of Toronto Quarterly vol 84:03:2015
Table of ContentsIntroduction Preface Chapter 1 In the Beginning Chapter 2 Growing Pains Chapter 3 Oh What a Lovely War Chapter 4 Under Way at Last Chapter 5 Summer Days Chapter 6 Away to the Races Chapter 7 Phooie Il Pluie Chapter 8 What Next? Chapter 9 Waiting Time Chapter 10 Dear Old Blighty Chapter 11 You Can Have It Chapter 12 In the Good Old Summer Time Chapter 13 Notes from the Observers Chapter 14 Birth of the Battalion Canteen Chapter 15 Why? Chapter 16 The Corps Comes of Age Chapter 17 In Again Out Again Chapter 18 Dirty Jobs Chapter 19 Cleaning Up Chapter 20 The Last 100 Days Chapter 21 The Long Road Home Appendix Nominal Roll of Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers and Men of the 25th Battalion Recommended Reading
