by Alec Ward
Publishers: The Medlar Press
First published 2008
Hardback (92 pages)
Binding: Cased with jacket
Illustrations: Colour and Monochrome photographs

ISBN: 978-1-899600-84-7

William Leslie Ward joined the army, into the Oxford Yeomanry, in 1917. He was just eighteen. The following year he was sent to France. The big Spring 1918 German offensive was in progress. Before long his draft joined the 3rd Worcester Regiment and he was involved as a Lewis gunner in a counter-attack at Kemmel. The unit was then moved south, supposedly to recuperate, but after a surprise German attack, became involved in the 3rd Battle of the Aisne. It was there, near Concevreux, that on 27th May William Leslie was put out of action by a bullet wound in the leg and eventually made it home to 'Blighty'.

The focus of A Young Man's War are the letters that William Leslie sent home on a regular basis during his short time in France. There is also an introductory chapter about the causes of the First World War, the conditions of trench warfare and the impact of the war on life at home. The appendices include more detail about the 3rd Battle of the Aisne, a crucial battle in the Great War.