This is the WWI memoirs of Capt. H. W. McGill, MD of the Canadian Expeditionary Force. He joined the 31st Battalion, CEF at its formation. He shipped out with the unit during the initial deployment to England, then France as the Medical Officer. I found the book interesting in that it is the first one I have read on the medical service of Britian during WWI. More specifically, it covered what the duties were of the Medical Officer in an infantry unit in the British Army in WWI. Dr. McGill took detailed notes in his diary including weather and wind direction as well as caualty figures during his service and other dailly events. If you are wondering why he took note of the wind...if the wind was from a certain direction (i.e. towards the British line), a gas release by the Germans was possible. This was in the period before gas was sent over in artillery shells.

One questions came to mind while reading the book. From the information provided by Dr. McGill it seemed to me that the British medical service operated way too smoothly in handling and clearing wounded from the battle field. He never indicates any frustration with the backlog of wounded or his inabilitgy as a Dr. to move them along to higher levels of medical treatment in a timely manner. Almost every time he contacted his upper medical command for assistance, it would be available. This is in contrast to other information I have read about the frustration in handling wounded. Dr. McGill participated in the Somme campaign, 1916, among many others in his amost three years with the line infamtry. This seemed at bit too rosy a picture to be believed. I question his accuracy in this area. Otherwise, I found the book a worthwhile read. It did become rather repetitive at times. However, the military and war (between active battle) does become repetitive and routine.

I recommend this book because it is well written and it provides info on an area of the war not widely covered. Also, Capt. Harold W. McGill looks very 'British' on the front cover! ( )