Memoirs of a Foxhunting Man · Chapters

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Chapter companions for Memoirs of a Foxhunting Man by Siegfried Sassoon.

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Chapter 1
Prefatory Note
The author provides a brief explanatory preface for the first single-volume edition of the Memoirs, noting the composition dates of each volume and stating that the work is intended to be self-explanatory.
Chapter 2
Memoirs of a Foxhunting Man
The narrator reflects on his childhood and early adulthood, focusing on his introduction to foxhunting and the rural life that shaped his identity. He recounts his first pony, riding lessons with Tom Dixon, and his growing passion for hunting, which becomes a central part of his world. The chapter also touches on his relationships with key figures like Aunt Evelyn and Stephen Colwood, and the tension between tradition and change as he navigates social class and financial instability.
Chapter 3
Early Days
The narrator recalls his early childhood and the beginning of his equestrian life, from the acquisition of his first pony, Rob Roy, under the guidance of the groom Tom Dixon, to his first day of foxhunting at Finchurst Green. The chapter captures his nervous excitement, his growing bond with Dixon, and his initial awe and confusion upon entering the hunting field.
Chapter 4
I
George Sherston arrives in France with Dick Tiltwood and Mansfield, joining the first battalion near Bethune. He meets Colonel Winchell, who knows of his hunting reputation through Colonel Hesmon. The chapter describes the journey from England, the bleak November landscape, and the grim realities of trench life, including working parties in the mud and ruins of Festubert. Sherston reflects on the contrast between his past hunting world and the war, and introduces fellow officers like Captain Barton and Julian Durley.
Chapter 5
II
The battalion moves from the La Bassée sector to a new area, enduring a grueling march of sixteen miles. The chapter details the physical hardships of the journey, the camaraderie among the officers, and the introduction of Joe Dottrell, the dependable acting quartermaster. It also reflects on the broader war experience, including the sight of Kitchener's Army and the oppressive atmosphere of Flanders.

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Prefatory Note

Memoirs of a Foxhunting Man

Early Days

I

II