This book is clearly the result of a labour of love. For anyone with a family story to research or tell, it is a model of its kind and Susan Laffey is to be congratulated for producing a fine memorial to her great uncle Jack Garbutt and his generation.
Drawing upon family, local and military resources, the author tells the story of Jack Garbutt from childhood to his death in the German spring offensive of 1918. The first 48 pages cover Jack's family background and schooldays in rural North Yorkshire.
He enlists in 1914 and joins 96th Brigade of the Royal Field Artillery, one of the gun units under command of 21st Division. Jack's time in France is explored through letters asnd postcards, laced into extracts from the brigade war diary, official history and other sources. While the movements and actions are covered in detail, the book remains readable through a skilful light touch. His story will be as absorbing to a family historian as it is to a military buff: no mean feat. Jacks' story is in many ways completely typical and undistinguished, but absolutely representative of the life and times of most men of the artillery. It will remain on my own shelf as much for it containing good chunks of the war diary as for it reminding me how well these things can be done.
The book is published by Waltersgill Photography and Publishing of Otley in West Yorkshire. It is in a 6 by 8.5 inch format, nicely laid out and at cover price of £9.99 very good value. I am very pleased to say that the Long, Long Trail is quoted as a source and that the author was kind enough to send me an autographed copy, used for this review.
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