[Transcriber's note: Obvious printer's errors have been corrected.The original spelling has been retained.
Page 17: "some with faces turned upwards,"the word "turned" was crossed.
Page 234: Added a round bracket, (A bullet whistles by on the right of Bill's head.).]
THE RED HORIZON
BY THE SAME AUTHOR
CHILDREN OF THE DEAD END.
The Autobiography of a Navvy.
Ten Thousand Printed within Ten
Days of Publication.
THE RAT-PIT. Third Edition.
THE AMATEUR ARMY.
The Experiences of a Soldier in theMaking.
THE GREAT PUSH.
THE RED HORIZON
BY
PATRICK MACGILL
WITH A FOREWORD BY
VISCOUNT ESHER G. C. B.
TORONTO
McCLELLAND, GOODCHILD &
STEWART, LIMITED
LONDON
HERBERT JENKINS, LIMITED
1916
THE ANCHOR PRESS, LTD.,TIPTREE, ESSEX.
TO
THE LONDON IRISH
TO THE SPIRIT OF THOSE WHO FIGHT AND TO
THE MEMORY OF THOSE WHO HAVE PASSED AWAY
THIS BOOK IS DEDICATED
FOREWORD
To Patrick MacGill,
Rifleman No. 3008, London Irish.
Dear Patrick MacGill,
There is open in France a wonderful exhibition of the work of the manygallant artists who have been serving in the French trenches throughthe long months of the War.
There is not a young writer, painter, or sculptor of French blood, whois not risking his life for his country. Can we make the same proudboast?
When I recruited you into the London Irish—one of those splendidregiments that London has sent to Sir John French, himself anIrishman—it was with gratitude and pride.
You had much to give us. The rare experiences of your boyhood, yourtalents, your brilliant hopes for the future. Upon all these theWestern hills and loughs of your native Donegal seemed to have a priorclaim. But you gave them to London and to our London Territorials. Itwas an example and a symbol.
The London Irish will be proud of their young artist in words, and hewill for ever be proud of the London Irish Regiment, its deeds andvalour, to which he has dedicated such great gifts. May God preserveyou.
Yours sincerely,
Esher.
President County of London
Callander. Territorial Association.
16th September, 1915.
CONTENTS
| Chapter. | |
| I. | THE PASSING OF THE REGIMENT |
| II. | SOMEWHERE IN FRANCE |
| III. | OUR FRENCH BILLETS |
| IV. | THE NIGHT BEFORE THE TRENCHES |
| V. | FIRST BLOOD |