Christopher Tietjens

Sylvia Tietjens

Sylvia is Christopher's estranged wife, and their marriage is a battleground of cruelty, manipulation, and bitter resentment.

Sergeant-Major Cowley

Cowley is Tietjens' dependable and loyal non-commissioned officer, managing the unit's practical affairs with competence.

Sir Vincent Macmaster

Macmaster is Tietjens' old friend and literary ally, though their bond is strained by Macmaster's social climbing and jealousy.

Valentine Wannop

Valentine is Tietjens' true love, a suffragist and intellectual companion, though their relationship is complicated by war and social constraints.

Captain Mackenzie

Mackenzie is a mentally unstable officer who becomes obsessively hostile toward Tietjens, seeing him as a symbol of authority to defy.

Mark Tietjens

Mark is Christopher's older brother, a stern but deeply loyal figure who shares a bond of mutual respect and familial duty.

Captain McKechnie

McKechnie is a fellow officer who respects Tietjens' competence but is frayed by war and personal grievances.

O Nine Morgan

O Nine Morgan is a soldier under Tietjens' command, representing the tragic human cost of war that Tietjens feels responsible for.

O Nine Morgan

O Nine Morgan is a soldier under Tietjens' command, representing the tragic human cost of war that Tietjens feels responsible for.

Captain Mackenzie

Mackenzie is a mentally unstable officer who becomes obsessively hostile toward Tietjens, seeing him as a symbol of authority to defy.

Sergeant-Major Cowley

Cowley is Tietjens' dependable and loyal non-commissioned officer, managing the unit's practical affairs with competence.

Captain Mackenzie

Mackenzie is a mentally unstable officer who becomes obsessively hostile toward Tietjens, seeing him as a symbol of authority to defy.

To William Bird

Referenced as the central character whose opinions and inaccuracies (quoting King's Regulations) are not endorsed by the author.

No More Parades Part I

Central figure, grappling with war trauma, marital strife, and bureaucratic absurdities.

I

Commanding officer of XVI Casual Battalion, reflecting on the psychological state of his men and his own troubled marriage.

II

Tietjens is the central consciousness of the chapter, dealing with a draft, reflecting on his wife Sylvia's potential for causing scandal, and being led by Levin to a mysterious visitor.

III

Tries to write a dispassionate report of his marriage and relationship with Miss Wannop, but is consumed by introspection and the realization that Sylvia manipulated him.

IV

Struggles with obsession over O Nine Morgan's death, deals with horse care and military discipline, and confronts rumors of betrayal from Whitehall.

I

Christopher appears in the hotel lounge, looking worn out and expressionless. He sends his card to Sylvia, who refuses to see him.

Chapter II

Reading letters, appears distressed over a soldier's death, engaged in a conference with the general.

I

Awakens to General Campion's inspection, explains bureaucratic issues, and recounts his arrest by General O'Hara.

II

Reads the general's draft, struggles with intrusive visions of O Nine Morgan, and contemplates requesting divisional transport to reassure Valentine Wannop.