Scottish Voices from the Great War

The experiences of Scottish soldiers during the First World War in their own words. Using letters, diaries and first-hand accounts together with original photographs and illustrations, here is the real story of the experience of Scotland''s soldiers in the First World War. Scotland''s response to the Great War has, up until now, largely been marginalized or ignored. With a proportionally higher number of volunteers than any other home nation Scotand''s youth played a significant part in Scotland''s war effort. Here is the first real study of Scotland''s response to the call to arms; the true story behind the raising, the training, life in the trenches, and the sacrifices faced by those battalions raised in Scotland. This book focuses on the experiences of those who served in the Scottish divisions. Charting the course of emotions from initial enthusiasm in August 1914 through to outright disillusion with the continuation of the war in 1917, the author clearly shows how life in the front line produced both physical and emotional changes of those caught up in the horrors of trench warfare. ''I lifted my two hands: in one I held my rifle and with outstretched arms I cried to God, asked him to forgive me, a sinner like me'' Private Thomas Williamson, M.M. Royal Scots Fusiliers, January 1915.