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Diary of an Old Contemptible: From Mons to Baghdad 1914–1919 Private Edward Roe, East Lancashire Regiment Kindle Edition

by Edward Roe (Author), Peter Downham (Editor) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 41 ratings
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“First class . . . a book that helps the reader to understand just what the ordinary soldier thought about his lot in the Great War.” —The Western Front Association

This is a most unusual chronicle of the events of one man during the Great War. A professional soldier at the outbreak, Edward Roe was one of the first to cross over to France in 1914 and as such fought in the early battles of the war and took part in the Retreat from Mons. He was there for the crossing of the Marne and Aisne, the dreadful fighting at Ploegsteert and for the extraordinary events during the first Christmas. Remarkably he witnessed the debacle at Gallipoli and was part of the rear-guard of the Army during the re-embarkation and evacuation of the Peninsula. Thereafter the scene shifts to Mesopotamia and the Tigris Corps in the attempt to relieve General Townshend at Kut. Wounded he returned for the final campaign that captured Baghdad.

“The author of these unique and extraordinarily moving diaries, which are supported by excellent maps and footnotes, was Edward Roe, an Irishman who had already served nine years with the British Army by the outbreak of the first world war.” —The Times
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Previous page
  1. Print length
    424 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publisher
    Pen & Sword Military
  5. Publication date
    April 19, 2005
  6. File size
    4647 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  10. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Peter Downham is an author and historian.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00E8HPOD4
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Pen & Sword Military; Illustrated edition (April 19, 2005)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ April 19, 2005
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 4647 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 424 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 41 ratings

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Edward Roe

Edward Roe

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Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
41 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

jeff perkins
5.0 out of 5 stars This book is an excellent collection of experiences of one man across many major ...
Reviewed in the United States on March 28, 2015
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This book is an excellent collection of experiences of one man across many major battle fronts during the first world war. Written in a form that is easy to read, but typifies the language of the era.
How one man managed to survive the horrors of all those years at the front lines of so many major battles amazes me. The fact that he has taken the time to put it down in writing so that future generations know those horrors is even more amazing and something we should all be thankful for.
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Robert
5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Read!
Reviewed in the United States on May 26, 2012
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I love to read firsthand accounts of people in history as they experienced going through famous or momentous events in history. This was a great book as it puts you right there in the Great War (WW1). It gives you a feeling of what it was like to experience the times. I would encourage anybody who loves history, especially the Great War to read this book. The footnotes right behind each chapter are very enlightening. You just look the number up in the diary entry at the back of each chapter and it gives added details. A great read!
3 people found this helpful
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Eric Huber
5.0 out of 5 stars more like five years of life in very good notes
Reviewed in the United States on July 16, 2016
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This is not a novel, more like five years of life in very good notes. The added side information brings excellent prospective and and a side view to Rowes experiences. Because the whole book is written in first person, the reader easily sees and feels Rowes actions or emotions, especially when he is thrust into combat. An excellent read for anyone looking to get a plain, straight forward experience of life as an infantry soldier.
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Lost on L.I.
5.0 out of 5 stars A Private Soldiers memoirs
Reviewed in the United States on March 25, 2014
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One of the better WW1 memoirs I.have read. Most are by officers but this is by a private soldier and well written. A very authentic voice speaks to us over the years and it rings true.

Private Roe was Irish Catholic which makes his perspective even more interesting.
2 people found this helpful
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Mac
2.0 out of 5 stars As an ex swaddy I found this a disappointing book ...
Reviewed in the United States on July 17, 2015
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As an ex swaddy I found this a disappointing book. Very little on the retreat from Mons and the early months of W.W.1 where the Old Contemptibles made their name and the old army died. Largely the account of subsequent active service in Mesopotamia with very few accounts of the action to be expected of a literate infantryman.
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JCR
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on March 19, 2015
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One of the best WW1 books I've read.
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Mr. C. Downham
5.0 out of 5 stars Inspirational tale of courage and comradeship
Reviewed in the United States on May 3, 2005
A fascinating read told in the first person following a brave private through every front in WW1. It is humbling to see how brave and strong these men were. It puts perspective onto any bad day I may have thought I have had.

I really enjoyed the tales of fun and mischief that keep a human touch to what was an utterly unbearable war. Can't recommend it more.

Enjoy
5 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Garry M.
5.0 out of 5 stars Great read.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 30, 2019
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For anyone interested in history especially WW 1 this is a great read. Really gives an insight into the thoughts and feelings of the regular tommies during the great war. Written in a really readable and quite often humorous style too.
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Alba Gu Brath
5.0 out of 5 stars a WORTHY TRIBUTE TO ONE OF THE 'OLD CONTEMPTIBLES'
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 22, 2013
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OLD THE STORY MAY BE, BUT TO HAVE IT RELAYED BY ONE OF THE FIRST SOLDIERS TO SET FOOT IN FRANCE WAS TERRIFC. THROUGH MR ROE'S TIME IN THE MIDDLE EAST I HAVE LEARNT MUCH MORE ABOUT THE CONFLICT IN MESOPOTHAMIA - KUT IN PARTICULAR. A BARGAIN
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joseph moore
5.0 out of 5 stars old contemptible
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 9, 2014
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Very very moving, highly recommend, one of the best books I've read for a long time. Take time out to read this book.
One person found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 13, 2018
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Great service..Thank You
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Barbara
5.0 out of 5 stars Compelling account of a private soldier's experiences in WW1
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 2, 2014
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Very well written and compelling account of a young Irishman's experiences in France, Gallipoli and Mesopotamia during WW1.
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