Character guide

George Sherston

major

Also known as myself, me, I, Sherston, Mr. Sherston, Mr. G. Sherston

George Sherston grows up motherless in a quiet country house, educated by a gentle tutor and a sportsman groom who between them make him a rider. Awkward with children his own age and happiest alone, he finds in hunting the companionship and competence that ordinary life denies him. His shyness and his devotion to one horse, Cockbird, shape the book's early arc, as does the shadow of a war that will take both from him.

Tom Dixon

major

Also known as Dixon, jaunty young Dixon, the unblenching Dixon, the delighted Dixon

Dixon would prefer a livelier situation than his aunt's quiet household, but he never lets his young charge forget his position as a little gentleman. He takes shortcuts across country, stages imaginary finishes, and finally persuades a reluctant aunt to let the boy see hounds. His blend of deference and initiative gives Sherston both his horsemanship and his first taste of the world he will spend the book pursuing.

Denis Milden

major

Also known as Milden, young Milden, VII Denis Milden, Already Milden, Master Milden, Young Mr. Milden, Mr. Milden

Denis Milden runs a hunt on tact as much as on hounds, pacifying farmers whose birds and land the field has damaged, and keeping the whole elaborate machinery of a day's sport running. Watching him work teaches Sherston that hunting is preparation, not just chivvying foxes. His unglamorous diligence and easy hospitality give the book its portrait of a sporting life actually lived, not merely ridden.

Stephen Colwood

major

Also known as this Colwood, Stephen, the Colwood, Steve, Mr. Stephen, Colwood

Stephen belongs to the Rectory family whose father, a Sussex man, values his provincialism above the splendours of the Shires his sons long for. Lankier and less regular-featured than his father, he shares the same voice with its undertone of sadness. His friendship gives Sherston a companion of his own age and class, and his cheerful refusal of ordinary ambition sharpens the book's elegy for a world about to end.

Aunt Evelyn

major

Also known as Evelyn

Aunt Evelyn keeps a comfortable old house, two Persian cats, a garden, and a charitable interest in the village's old and rheumatic. She has an unexplained prejudice against school and a suspicion of her nephew's solitary habits, giving him a butterfly-net and a fretwork saw that go unused. Her limited radius and firm common sense frame the small world Sherston must eventually leave, and her quiet household is the home the war will take from him.

Cockbird

supporting

Also known as old Cockbird

Cockbird is sold to the Government for a perfunctory fifty pounds and picketed by a rope that already gives him a sore pastern, regretting Dixon and resenting the Army. He is Sherston's last tangible link with the peaceful past, and his welfare becomes the narrator's main anxiety amid the rumor-ridden early weeks of war. The horse's mute discomfort carries the book's grief for a world being requisitioned along with him.

Colonel Hesmon

supporting

Also known as the Colonel, Colonel, The dear old Colonel, old Colonel Hesmon, Col. C. M. F. Hesmon, Lieut.-Col. C. M. F. Hesmon

Colonel Hesmon belongs to the Ringwell Hunt world, a figure of local prestige whose exploits are still recounted by relatives and strangers alike. His one topic is hunting, and his name carries such weight that a new commanding officer in Bethune already knows the narrator won the Colonel's Cup. That small social currency matters enormously: it shows how thoroughly the hunting life has prepared the narrator for the trenches, and how the two worlds keep bleeding into each other.

Dick Tiltwood

supporting

Also known as III Dick, Tiltwood

Dick Tiltwood moves in the same country-house and Rectory circles as the narrator, a son of the sporting clergy whose brothers have been raised as keen fox-hunters and salmon-fishers. He shares the narrator's passion for riding and his contempt for a life spent making money in a blinking office. His easy companionship and shared enthusiasm help anchor the narrator's early hunting days in a world of youthful, uncomplicated pleasure before the War intrudes.

Harkaway

supporting

Also known as Highly strung old Harkaway, dear old Harkaway

Harkaway arrives in the narrator's life through a stud groom's knowing advertisement, a horse already well known with the Dumborough Hounds. His owner, Mr. Gaffikin, praises him as the boldest performer he has ever ridden, and the narrator's confidence grows with every fence the horse carries him over. The purchase marks a turning point: the narrator stops being a spectator and becomes a rider with a real partnership beneath him.

Mr. Gaffikin

supporting

Also known as Good-natured Mr. Gaffikin, Cosmo Gaffikin, Cosmo Gaffikin, Esq.

Mr. Gaffikin is a familiar figure in the hunting community, puffy-faced and full-moustached, easygoing and slangy, always ready with a confidential explanation. He parts with Harkaway only because the horse is no longer up to his weight, and he does so with genuine regret and generous praise. His cheerful commentary on the field, from Jaggett's clumsiness to the huntsman's tricks, gives the narrator a model of how to belong in this world with good humour rather than anxiety.

Joey Dottrell

supporting

Also known as Joe Dottrell, Dottrell, Joe, old Joe

Joey Dottrell belongs to the same country society as the narrator, one of the local characters whose comings and goings mark the rhythm of the hunting season. He is the kind of figure who fills out the world around the meets and the runs, a reminder that foxhunting is as much a social fabric as a sport. His presence in the narrator's early years helps establish the dense, familiar community that the War will later scatter and silence.

Old Man Barton

minor

Also known as old man Barton, Barton, good old Barton

An elderly local character, often present at hunt gatherings.

Fred Buzzaway

minor

Also known as Buzzaway, Will

A member of the hunting community, known for his boisterous nature.

The Master

supporting

Also known as The Master, Master

The Master presides over the Potford Hunt, a figure of quiet authority in a world where the right to draw a covert is a matter of delicate negotiation. Around him cluster the sporting gentry, the Peppermore brothers, and the whole apparatus of the hunting calendar. His role matters because he embodies the order and ritual that give the narrator's youth its shape, a structure of tradition and deference that the coming War will make look unbearably fragile.

Mr. Bellerby

minor

A local gentleman and occasional hunting companion.

William Dodd

minor

Also known as Dodd, But William Dodd

A servant or groom associated with the stables.

Nigel Croplady

minor

Also known as Croplady

A young man from the hunting set, often riding with the group.

John Homeward

minor

Also known as Homeward

A local character involved in hunt-related activities.

Miriam

minor

Also known as old Miriam, Faithful Miriam, Patient Miriam, faithful Miriam

A loyal household servant to the narrator's aunt.

Jack Barchard

minor

Also known as Mr. Jack Barchard, Mr. Barchard, Barchard, Modest Jack Barchard, quiet Jack Barchard, old Jack

A modest and quiet hunting gentleman.

Mr. Pennett

minor

Also known as Disapproving Mr. Pennett, Percival G. Pennett

A disapproving local figure, often critical of the hunt.

Captain Huxtable

minor

Also known as rosy faced old Captain Huxtable, Captain Huxtable

A rosy-faced retired captain and hunt enthusiast.

Gentleman George

minor

Also known as George, young George

A young man known as 'Gentleman George' in hunting circles.

Squire Maundle

minor

Also known as old Squire Maundle

An old squire and landowner in the hunting district.

Rob Roy

minor

Also known as Rob, that wretched Rob Roy, darling Rob Roy

A troublesome but beloved hunter horse.

Arthur Brandwick

minor

Also known as Brandwick

A friend from the narrator's hunting days.

Sheila

minor

A young woman briefly mentioned in the narrator's social life.

Mrs. Oakfield

minor

A local woman, possibly a neighbor or acquaintance.

Mr. Star

minor

A character encountered during hunting events.

Young Lewison

minor

Also known as Young Lewison, Lewison

A young man in the hunting set.

Captain Harry Hinnycraft

minor

Also known as Dear old Captain Harry, Captain Hinnycraft, Captain Harry, Henry, the Hunt

Honorary Secretary of the Hunt for many years.

Crump

minor

Also known as Bill Crump, Good ole Bill

A local man, possibly a groom or farmer.

Young Ormand

minor

Also known as Ormand, Young Ormand

A young man from the hunting community.

Major Kinjack

supporting

Also known as Kinjack, And Kinjack, V Lieutenant-Colonel Kinjack, Colonel Kinjack, Colonel

Colonel Winchell commands the battalion to which the narrator is posted in France, and he greets him as a fellow hunting man, having heard of his exploits through a mutual relative, Colonel Hesmon. That shared equestrian world gives the narrator an unexpected social advantage among Regular Army officers. Kinjack matters because he embodies the strange continuity between the Ringwell Hunt and the Western Front, easing the narrator's passage into military life while quietly underscoring how thin the line is between English leisure and wartime duty.

Mansfield

minor

A character mentioned in the hunting or military context.

Lord Dumborough

minor

Also known as the Dumborough

A lord and master of the Dumborough Hounds.

Guy Warder

minor

Also known as Evidently Mr. Guy Warder, Warder

A gentleman encountered during hunting or social events.

Charlie Peppermore

minor

Also known as Charlie, Peppermore senior

A member of the Peppermore family, involved in hunting.

Julian Durley

minor

Also known as Durley

A character from the narrator's hunting days.

Bishop

minor

Also known as young Bob, Bert Bishop

A young man known as Bishop, part of the local scene.

Colonel Winchell

minor

Also known as Winchell

A military officer encountered during the war.

Bob Jenner

minor

Also known as burly Bob Jenner

A burly local man, possibly a groom or farmer.

Captain Barton

minor

Also known as Barton

A military captain, possibly related to Old Man Barton.

Sam Bathwick

minor

Also known as Bathwick, Mr. Bathwick

A local character associated with the hunt.

Joe Barless

minor

Also known as Barless

A local figure, possibly a farmer or hunt follower.

Parson Colwood

minor

Also known as the Rev. Colwood, The Rev. Harry Colwood, Henry

A clergyman and relative of the Colwood family.

Mr. Dearborn

minor

Also known as loquacious old Mr. Dearborn, old Mr. Dearborn, Old Dearborn

A loquacious old gentleman in the community.

Mr. Stoving

minor

A character mentioned in passing during hunting events.

Flook

minor

A character, possibly a horse or dog, mentioned briefly.

Corporal Price

minor

A non-commissioned officer in the narrator's army unit.

Monsieur Perrineau

minor

Also known as Perrineau, M. Perrineau, mild M. René Perrineau

A mild-mannered Frenchman encountered during the war.

Roger Pomfret

minor

Also known as Pomfret, ginger-haired Roger Pomfret

A red-haired hunting friend, part of the narrator's social circle.

Bill Jaggett

minor

Also known as Jaggett, Will

A local figure in the hunting community.

Mr. S. Colwood

minor

Also known as Mr. Colwood, the late Mr. S. Colwood

The late father of Stephen Colwood, a respected figure.

Tom Seamark

minor

Also known as Seamark, Muster Seamark

A local figure associated with the hunt or stables.

Brownrigg

minor

Also known as Boots Brownrigg, The terrific Boots Brownrigg, the formidable Brownrigg

A formidable character known as 'Boots' Brownrigg.

Kreisler

minor

A musician or character referenced in passing.

Miss Clara Maskall

minor

Also known as Miss Maskall, Miss Clara

A local lady, possibly a friend of the family.

Sir Jocelyn Porteus

minor

Also known as Sir Jocelyn

A baronet and figure in the hunting world.

Jerry

minor

Also known as old Jerry

An old horse or character in the stables.

Parson Yalden

minor

Also known as the Reverend Yalden, Reverend Yalden, Mr. Yalden

A local clergyman and occasional hunting participant.

Harry Buckman

minor

Also known as Buckman, young Buckman, Henry

A young man in the hunting circle.

Sunny Jim

minor

Also known as Jim

A cheerful character, possibly a servant or local.

Master George

minor

Also known as Master Georgie, Georgie, Mr. George, George

A young boy, possibly a relative or neighbor.

Mr. Whatman

minor

Also known as Whatman

A local character, possibly a tradesman or farmer.

Frank Peckham

minor

Also known as Peckham

A friend or acquaintance from the hunting set.

Mr. Macdoggart

minor

Also known as Mr. MacDoggart

A Scottish-sounding character in the hunting community.

Ned Noakes

minor

Also known as Noakes

A local figure, possibly a farmer or hunt servant.

Bill Sutler

minor

Also known as Bill, Sutler

A character mentioned in the hunting context.

Jack Pitt

minor

Also known as Jack

A local man, possibly a servant or hunt follower.

Captain Reynard

minor

Also known as Reynard

A captain in the hunting or military context.

Ben Trotter

minor

Also known as Ben, the ineffectual Ben Trotter

An ineffectual character in the hunting circle.

Miss M.

minor

A mysterious or unnamed lady mentioned briefly.

Willie Regel

minor

Also known as Regel, Willie

A young man, possibly a servant or local.

Peter Baitup

minor

Also known as Peter

A local character, possibly a groom or farmer.

Bob Millet

minor

Also known as Millet

A local man in the hunting community.

Will Picksett

minor

Also known as big Will Picksett, Picksett

A big, strong local character.

Mrs. Colwood

minor

Also known as Kind Mrs. Colwood

The kind mother of Stephen Colwood.

Maconochie

minor

A character, possibly a soldier or servant, in the war section.

Sibson

minor

A character mentioned in the military context.

Mr. Sponge

minor

Also known as Sponge

A character, possibly a literary allusion or local figure.

Mikado

minor

A horse or pet mentioned in the narrative.

Major Carmine

minor

A major in the army during the war.

Heron

minor

A character, possibly a horse or bird, mentioned briefly.

Tony

minor

A young man or boy in the narrator's circle.

Windgall

minor

Also known as little Windgall

A small horse or pony mentioned in hunting scenes.