Chapter I: Foreword

I am glad that this very personal little book is to be re-published, if only for private circulation, for it rings as true to-day as it did yesterday.

It tells the story of one young man in the Great War, but, in fact, it reveals no less the personality of the writer who knit the young man's story together.

The young man continues--the writer has passed on.

My brother is revealed here, not as the famous publisher, but as a man whose sympathy was so quick and passionate that he literally lived the suffering and trials of others.

It is this living sympathy, given so freely, that lies like a wreath of everlasting flowers on his memory now.

It is no longer a secret that the real name of the "Sydney Baxter" of this story is Reginald Davis; and those of us who know him and have watched every step of his progress, from his first small job of the "pen and ledger" to the Secretaryship of a great Company, are astonished at the understanding and accuracy of this portrayal of a young man's inner self and outer deeds.

It is true that Sir Ernest Hodder-Williams did little more than comment on the diary written by Davis himself. But how well he explains it; how well he reads into its touching cheerfulness and its splendid sorrow the eternal truth that only by suffering and obedience can the purposes of God and man be fulfilled.

Davis has won his spurs. He bears the marks of his service in the Great War with honour and with never a complaint. His old chief and chronicler was proud of him then. He would be proud of him to-day.

R. PERCY HODDER-WILLIAMS.

CONTENTS

PAGE
CHAPTER I
INTRODUCES ONE YOUNG MAN 3

CHAPTER II
ONE YOUNG MAN JOINS THE ARMY 15

CHAPTER III
ONE YOUNG MAN IN CAMP 21

CHAPTER IV
ONE YOUNG MAN ON ACTIVE SERVICE 31

CHAPTER V
ONE YOUNG MAN AT HILL 60 41

CHAPTER VI
ONE YOUNG MAN RECEIVES A LETTER 57

CHAPTER VII
ONE YOUNG MAN IN THE SALIENT 65

CHAPTER VIII
ONE YOUNG MAN'S SUNDAY 71

CHAPTER IX
ONE YOUNG MAN ON TREK 79

CHAPTER X
ONE YOUNG MAN ANSWERS QUESTIONS 91

CHAPTER XI
ONE YOUNG MAN'S LEAVE 99

CHAPTER XII
ONE YOUNG MAN AGAIN IN THE TRENCHES 105

CHAPTER XIII
ONE YOUNG MAN GETS A "BLIGHTY" 119

Introduces One Young Man

ONE YOUNG MAN