Jill Knight, herself a civil servant at the Department of Trade and Industry, has compiled a detailed but easy to read narrative of the Rifles, tracing from their beginnings as a volunteer unit in the 1860s and through the Boer War to the formation of the TF in 1908, and their eventual service in the Great War.

There is much to interest and fascinate the general reader here, but of course the book will be invaluable to students of the London Regiment and the London Divisions. Jill brings together many personal stories of the men - "all bloody gentlemen" as one regular soldier was to describe them - who worked variously in government departments such as the Treasury, the London County Council, the British Museum, and the Inland Revenue. The calibre of many of the recruits was such that large numbers eventually left, taking up commissions to become officers of other units. Yet 1240 men of the Civil Service Rifles were to lose their life in the war, a loss to the British nation of incalculable value. The early recruits especially were educated men, some already respected in their professions, others with great potential that was never to be fulfilled.

Jill's story brings us right up to the present day, taking us through the veterans reunions to the last and poignant remembrance of the last survivor, Walter Humphreys, who died in 2003. Her work is a fitting tribute to him and his comrades.

The book is nicely produced, with some excellent photographs that I have never seen before and at £19.99 represents good value.

Overall, a strongly recommended addition to your Great War library.

Incidentally, I am very proud to note that Jill includes the Great War Forum in her acknowledgements. I was also delighted to see that the foreword is written by my brother-in-law's brother-in-law, Sir Andrew Turnbull KCB CVO, who is the Secretary of the Cabinet and Head of the Home Civil Service.

A history of the Rifles was also published in 1922. It has been reprinted by Naval & Military Press and has ISBN 1843423685.