# Aunt Evelyn — Memoirs of an Infantry Officer character guide

> Aunt Evelyn in Memoirs of an Infantry Officer by Siegfried Sassoon.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Poor Aunt Evelyn, Evelyn

**First appearance:** 0000-i-at-the-army-school

## Snapshot

The narrator's gentle, reticent aunt, whose quiet visit to his hospital ward stirs both gratitude and a stubborn resolve to return to the front.

## Who they are

Aunt Evelyn belongs to the civilian world the wounded narrator can no longer fully share, and her visit to his London hospital is one of the memoir's tenderest scenes. Her unspoken assumption that he has 'done enough' collides with his conviction that only the front line can give his life meaning. She matters because she embodies the loving, uncomprehending home front he must gently refuse.

## Relationships

### [Captain Huxtable](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_an_infantry_officer_se/characters/captain_huxtable)

_social_

Aunt Evelyn and Captain Huxtable share a frequent but formal acquaintance, likely through social circles and wartime hospitality.

### [Mr. Farrell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_an_infantry_officer_se/characters/mr_farrell)

_social_

Aunt Evelyn and Mr. Farrell have a frequent social acquaintance, possibly through family connections or local community events.

### [Popsy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_an_infantry_officer_se/characters/popsy)

_family_

Aunt Evelyn and Popsy have a family relationship, possibly as aunt and niece or close relatives.

### [Mr. Farrell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_an_infantry_officer_se/characters/mr_farrell)

_social_

Aunt Evelyn and Mr. Farrell have a frequent social acquaintance, possibly through family connections or local community events.

### [Captain Huxtable](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_an_infantry_officer_se/characters/captain_huxtable)

_social_

Aunt Evelyn and Captain Huxtable share a frequent but formal acquaintance, likely through social circles and wartime hospitality.

## In the story

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_an_infantry_officer_se/chapters/ii)

Sends the narrator a box of kippers twice a month, which Dottrell is consuming on his behalf.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_an_infantry_officer_se/chapters/iii)

Recipient of the farewell letter, still believes narrator is transport officer.

### [III: Before the Push](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_an_infantry_officer_se/chapters/iii-before-the-push)

Sherston spends his last evening at home with her, playing cribbage and trying to maintain normalcy despite the impending return to war.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_an_infantry_officer_se/chapters/ii)

The narrator's aunt, who is anxious about his safety and aware of the impending offensive.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_an_infantry_officer_se/chapters/iv)

Appears in the narrator's daydream, arranging flowers at home in England.

### [Escape](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_an_infantry_officer_se/chapters/v-escape)

Provides care and comfort during the protagonist's sick leave at Butley.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_an_infantry_officer_se/chapters/ii)

Mentioned in memories of peacetime visits with Mr. Farrell and Captain Huxtable.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_an_infantry_officer_se/chapters/iii)

The narrator's aunt, who cares for him during his sick leave and embodies the patriotic home front.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_an_infantry_officer_se/chapters/iv)

Mentioned as being delighted when Romania entered the war, but the narrator is annoyed by Romania's poor performance.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_an_infantry_officer_se/chapters/i)

Visits the narrator in the hospital, showing reticent emotion and gently suggesting he has done enough and could accept a safe job.

### [X: Independent Action](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_an_infantry_officer_se/chapters/x-independent-action)

Sherston's aunt, who invites Captain Huxtable to tea and remains unaware of his nephew's plans.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_an_infantry_officer_se/chapters/iv)

The narrator's aunt, who tries to maintain cheerful conversation but is kept in the dark about his protest plans.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_an_infantry_officer_se/chapters/v)

Hosts tea with Captain Huxtable, displaying patriotic enthusiasm and agreement with the war effort, unaware of Sherston's inner conflict.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_an_infantry_officer_se/chapters/vi)

Sees Sherston off, giving him a bundle of white pigeons' feathers for pipe-cleaners and reminding him about his golf clubs.

### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_an_infantry_officer_se/chapters/vii)

Mentioned in Sherston's memory of her urging him to bring his 'golf sticks' to Formby.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_an_infantry_officer_se/characters/aunt_evelyn
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_an_infantry_officer_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_an_infantry_officer_se/characters