Memoirs of a Foxhunting Man · Character
Colonel Hesmon
A retired officer whose conversational repertoire barely extends beyond hunting, yet whose distant fame as a horseman opens doors for the narrator in France.
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
First appearance: II
As a supporting figure in Memoirs of a Foxhunting Man, Colonel Hesmon is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.
Presents the cup to Stephen Colwood and expresses delight at giving the horse to him.
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.
Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.
Character Web
22 connectionsA slice of how Colonel Hesmon sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.
Relationship types
- Professional
- Other
Character groups
- Hunt leadership and family
- Extended community and war associates
- Protagonist
+17 more in the full Character Web
Open in readerNarrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
This is the story's dramatic climax because it marks the psychological peak where the narrator’s personal vend…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingRelationships
- Stephen Colwood
professional · positive
A senior officer and hunting figure who also mentors Stephen, linking the two men through… How this plays out →
- Stephen Colwood
professional · positive
A senior officer and hunting figure who also mentors Stephen, linking the two men through… How this plays out →
- Stephen Colwood
professional · positive
A senior officer and hunting figure who also mentors Stephen, linking the two men through… How this plays out →
Relationship notes
How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.
See Colonel Hesmon in IIIn the story
Colonel Hesmon appears across 6 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.
Chapter companion notes
Spoil-light check-ins for Colonel Hesmon unlock in the free preview.
See Colonel Hesmon in II