A Yankee in the Trenches · Character

Corporal Wells

A fellow corporal in the narrator's unit, sharing the march, the billets, and the endless small miseries of noncommissioned life.

supporting

Also known as Wells

First appearance: II: Going In

As a supporting figure in A Yankee in the Trenches, Corporal Wells is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Helps the narrator learn trench lingo and becomes a fast friend.

In the storyII: Going InOpen this moment free

See Corporal Wells in II: Going In Book page

Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.

With The Narrator (professional): Corporal Wells is a non-commissioned officer who interacts with the narrator in a military chain-of-command relationship. With Tommy (professional): Corporal Wells and Tommy have a military superior-subordinate relationship, with Wells giving orders to Tommy. With Bonesie (professional): Bonesie and Corporal Wells have a military working relationship, likely with Wells in a position of authority over Bonesie.

Continue beside the text

The fuller portrait of Corporal Wells sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Corporal Wells in II: Going In

Character Web

3 connections

A slice of how Corporal Wells sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Professional

Character groups

British comrades in arms
Protagonist
Diverse trench community

Explore ties, sentiment, and clusters while you read

Open in reader

Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This is the story's dramatic climax because it marks the emotional and psychological peak where the soldiers c…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

Follow the arc while reading

Relationships

The Narrator
professional · ambivalent
Corporal Wells is a non-commissioned officer who interacts with the narrator in a… How this plays out →
Tommy
professional · ambivalent
Bonesie
professional · ambivalent
Tommy
professional · ambivalent
The Narrator
professional · ambivalent
Corporal Wells is a non-commissioned officer who interacts with the narrator in a… How this plays out →

The Narrator
Corporal Wells is a non-commissioned officer who interacts with the narrator in a military chain-of-command relationship.
Tommy
Corporal Wells and Tommy have a military superior-subordinate relationship, with Wells giving orders to Tommy.
Bonesie
Bonesie and Corporal Wells have a military working relationship, likely with Wells in a position of authority over Bonesie.
Tommy
Corporal Wells and Tommy have a military superior-subordinate relationship, with Wells giving orders to Tommy.
The Narrator
Corporal Wells is a non-commissioned officer who interacts with the narrator in a military chain-of-command relationship.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Corporal Wells in II: Going In

In the story

Corporal Wells appears across 2 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Corporal Wells unlock in the free preview.

See Corporal Wells in II: Going In