# A Yankee in the Trenches — Character guide

> Key figures in A Yankee in the Trenches by Robert Derby Holmes.

- [The Narrator](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_yankee_in_the_trenches_se/characters/narrator.md): An American who trades a comfortable Boston life for the King's shilling, only to find himself dodging shells and cooties in a British trench.
- [Tommy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_yankee_in_the_trenches_se/characters/tommy.md): The British private soldier in the ranks—resigned, sardonic, and forever hunting cooties, tea, and a moment's safety between bombardments.
- [Fritz](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_yankee_in_the_trenches_se/characters/fritz.md): A German soldier encountered by the narrator during trench raids.
- [Mr. Blofeld](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_yankee_in_the_trenches_se/characters/blofeld.md): An officer or comrade mentioned in the narrator's unit.
- [Mad Harry](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_yankee_in_the_trenches_se/characters/mad_harry.md): A wealthy, classics-educated lieutenant whose colorless monotone and fanatical discipline make him the most hated officer in the company.
- [Kamarad](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_yankee_in_the_trenches_se/characters/kamarad.md): A German prisoner or term used for surrendering enemy soldiers.
- [The Germans](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_yankee_in_the_trenches_se/characters/germans.md): The enemy holding the sap beyond High Wood—two machine guns, a sunken road, and a lethal grip on ground the battalion must take.
- [Jerry](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_yankee_in_the_trenches_se/characters/jerry.md): Slang for a German soldier, often used by the Tommies.
- [Corporal Wells](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_yankee_in_the_trenches_se/characters/corporal_wells.md): A fellow corporal in the narrator's unit, sharing the march, the billets, and the endless small miseries of noncommissioned life.
- [Yank](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_yankee_in_the_trenches_se/characters/yank.md): Nickname for an American soldier, possibly the narrator or a comrade.
- [The Huns](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_yankee_in_the_trenches_se/characters/huns.md): Derogatory term for German soldiers used by the Allies.
- [Dinky](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_yankee_in_the_trenches_se/characters/dinky.md): A soldier or nickname in the trenches, possibly a comrade.
- [Issy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_yankee_in_the_trenches_se/characters/issy.md): A Jewish soldier in the narrator's unit whose humor and wit help carry the men through the grind of trench routine.
- [Wellsie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_yankee_in_the_trenches_se/characters/wellsie.md): A nickname for Corporal Wells, a close comrade.
- [Blighty](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_yankee_in_the_trenches_se/characters/blighty.md): Slang for Britain or a wound that sends a soldier home.
- [Boche](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_yankee_in_the_trenches_se/characters/boche.md): Derogatory French slang for a German soldier.
- [Captain Green](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_yankee_in_the_trenches_se/characters/captain_green.md): Captain Green sits at the top of the narrator's immediate chain of command, the officer whose word sends corporals trotting off to shoulder another man's rifle on a ninety-degree hike. His authority is absolute but imper
- [Garn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_yankee_in_the_trenches_se/characters/garn.md): A soldier or nickname, possibly a comrade with a distinctive voice.
- [Bealer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_yankee_in_the_trenches_se/characters/bealer.md): A soldier in the narrator's unit, possibly a friend.
- [Crane](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_yankee_in_the_trenches_se/characters/crane.md): A soldier or officer mentioned in the narrative.
- [Corporal Holmes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_yankee_in_the_trenches_se/characters/corporal_holmes.md): A corporal in the narrator's battalion.
- [Bonesie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_yankee_in_the_trenches_se/characters/bonesie.md): A soldier with a nickname, possibly a medic or thin comrade.
- [Sanford](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_yankee_in_the_trenches_se/characters/sanford.md): A soldier or officer mentioned in passing.
- [Rolfie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_yankee_in_the_trenches_se/characters/rolfie.md): A nickname for a soldier, possibly a German or comrade.

HTML index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_yankee_in_the_trenches_se/characters