# David Cromlech — Memoirs of an Infantry Officer character guide > David Cromlech in Memoirs of an Infantry Officer by Siegfried Sassoon. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Cromlech, young Cromlech, poor old David **First appearance:** 0000-i-at-the-army-school ## Snapshot A bookish, untidy officer who quotes Shakespeare in the trenches and argues Homer was a woman, winning admiration and irritation in equal measure. ## Who they are Cromlech is the narrator's alter ego: a temporary officer whose cleverness, absentmindedness, and refusal to be 'seen but not heard' make him an oddity among his fellow Fusiliers. He is brave under fire but tactless off duty, forever putting backs up with opinions no one asked for. His running argument with the war—and with the men who fight it—drives the memoir's central question of what a thinking soldier owes to a senseless conflict. ## Relationships ### [Durley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_an_infantry_officer_se/characters/durley) _friendship_ David Cromlech and Durley are close friends and fellow officers, sharing experiences and camaraderie in the war. ### [Officers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_an_infantry_officer_se/characters/officers) _professional_ David Cromlech interacts with officers as a fellow officer, sharing duties and military responsibilities. ### [The Doctor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_an_infantry_officer_se/characters/the_doctor) _professional_ David Cromlech and The Doctor have a professional relationship, with the doctor providing medical care and advice. ### [Holman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_an_infantry_officer_se/characters/holman) _friendship_ David Cromlech and Holman share a friendship, likely as fellow soldiers with mutual respect. ### [Colonel Easby](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_an_infantry_officer_se/characters/colonel_easby) _professional_ Colonel Easby and David Cromlech have a professional relationship, with Easby as a senior officer and Cromlech as a subordinate. ### [Mr. Parkins](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_an_infantry_officer_se/characters/mr_parkins) _social_ David Cromlech and Mr. Parkins have a social acquaintance, possibly through shared circles or wartime interactions. ### [Durley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_an_infantry_officer_se/characters/durley) _friendship_ David Cromlech and Durley are close friends and fellow officers, sharing experiences and camaraderie in the war. ### [Holman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_an_infantry_officer_se/characters/holman) _friendship_ David Cromlech and Holman share a friendship, likely as fellow soldiers with mutual respect. ### [Colonel Easby](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_an_infantry_officer_se/characters/colonel_easby) _professional_ Colonel Easby and David Cromlech have a professional relationship, with Easby as a senior officer and Cromlech as a subordinate. ### [Mr. Parkins](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_an_infantry_officer_se/characters/mr_parkins) _social_ David Cromlech and Mr. Parkins have a social acquaintance, possibly through shared circles or wartime interactions. ## In the story ### [II: The Raid](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_an_infantry_officer_se/chapters/ii-the-raid) Narrator, returns from Army School, eager to participate in the raid. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_an_infantry_officer_se/chapters/iii) Narrator and participant in the raid, helps the wounded and searches for O'Brien. ### [IV: Battle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_an_infantry_officer_se/chapters/iv-battle) Mentioned in a reflective passage, recalling a conversation with him that reawakened the narrator's desire for intellectual stimulation. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_an_infantry_officer_se/chapters/i) Narrator; leads wire-cutting party, reflects on England and the war. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_an_infantry_officer_se/chapters/iv) The narrator, enjoying the respite at Heilly, daydreaming about home and joining his companions for lunch in Amiens. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_an_infantry_officer_se/chapters/v) Reunited with the narrator before the Battle of Bazentin Ridge; they share a deep, somber conversation about the future and the possibility of death. ### [Escape](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_an_infantry_officer_se/chapters/v-escape) Reported killed at High Wood, but later discovered alive in a London hospital, causing a mix of grief and relief. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_an_infantry_officer_se/chapters/i) The narrator learns of his death at High Wood, which stupefies him and adds to his sorrow. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_an_infantry_officer_se/chapters/iii) Mentioned as having been reported killed but later found alive in a London hospital. ### [At the Depot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_an_infantry_officer_se/chapters/vi-at-the-depot) Sherston's hut-mate, recovering from a lung wound, now an 'old soldier' and argumentative as ever, engaging in literary debates. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_an_infantry_officer_se/chapters/i) Shares the narrator's hut; recovering from a shell wound; engages in literary and philosophical debates; has a cynical view of the war. ### [Chapter III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_an_infantry_officer_se/chapters/iii) Passed for General Service and departs for the front, leaving the narrator with a sense of guilt and admiration. ### [X: Independent Action](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_an_infantry_officer_se/chapters/x-independent-action) In a convalescent hospital, Sherston thinks of him but decides not to involve him. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_an_infantry_officer_se/chapters/v) In a convalescent hospital in the Isle of Wight; Sherston thinks of sending him a copy but fears he might try to dissuade him. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_an_infantry_officer_se/chapters/vii) Accompanies Sherston to the Medical Board and later arrives in Liverpool to provide support, showing his loyalty and concern. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_an_infantry_officer_se/characters/david_cromlech - 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