Memoirs of an Infantry Officer · Character

2nd Lt. Sherston

A second lieutenant, possibly the narrator's alias or a separate character.

minor

Also known as Sherston

First appearance: I: At the Army School

2nd Lt. Sherston shows up with force in I: At the Army School. The page is where that presence becomes real.

Narrator and protagonist, enjoying a respite from the front lines at the Army School.

In the storyI: At the Army SchoolOpen this moment free

2nd Lt. Sherston first appears in 0000 i at the army school.

In I: At the Army School: Narrator and protagonist, enjoying a respite from the front lines at the Army School.

Later, in I: Narrator, sent to Army School, finds respite and reflects on the contrast between training and front-line reality.

See 2nd Lt. Sherston in I: At the Army School Book page

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Character Web

10 connections

A slice of how 2nd Lt. Sherston sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Other

Character groups

Comprehensive War Cast
Home and Support Network
High Command and NCOs
Training and Frontline Comrades

+5 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

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

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

The emotional peak occurs as the protagonist drifts in a blissful, narcissus-scented haze of safety and releas…

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In the story

2nd Lt. Sherston appears across 20 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

I: At the Army School
Narrator and protagonist, enjoying a respite from the front lines at the Army School.
I
Narrator, sent to Army School, finds respite and reflects on the contrast between training and front-line reality.
I
The narrator, reflecting on the war's toll and his own psychological state.
II
Narrator, recovering in hospital, feeling alienated from civilian life.
II
Narrator of the chapter, wounded in the attack on Delville Wood, later recovering and dining with Durley.
VII: Rouen in February
The narrator, who reports to the 5th Infantry Base Depot at Rouen and is posted to the Second Battalion.
I
Narrator, arrives in France and is posted to the Second Battalion.
II
Narrator, back at the base after German measles, reflecting on his last day before returning to the line.
VIII: The Second Battalion
The narrator, reflecting on his loss of faith and his role in the battalion.
I
Narrator, returns to the front and joins the Second Battalion.
II
The narrator, reflecting on his feelings about the upcoming battle and his loss of faith in the war.
III
Narrator, reflects on the war's grimness and tries to educate new officers.
IV
The narrator, leading his company into the Hindenburg Main Trench and undertaking a solitary patrol in No Man's Land.
V
The narrator, wounded and being evacuated, reflects on his experience and his feelings about leaving the battalion.
I
The narrator, recovering from a wound, experiences bitterness, estrangement, and nightmares.
II
Narrator recovering in hospital, reflecting on war and his future.
I
The narrator, a soldier on leave, who becomes determined to make a public statement against the war after his conversation with Markington.
III
Narrator, preparing his protest and traveling to Cambridge for an interview.
V
Struggles with his decision to protest, feeling the weight of his actions as he posts his statement and faces the complacency of those at home.
VI
Travels to Clitherland after receiving the 'Report immediately' telegram, feeling like a 'harassed automaton' and dreading the confrontation.

Chapter companion notes

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See 2nd Lt. Sherston in I: At the Army School