REMINISCENCES OF GIBRALTAR, EGYPT AND THE EGYPTIAN WAR, 1882 (FROM THE RANKS)

An interesting and unusual ranker’s eye view of Victorian colonial military life. The author, an Aberdeen policeman, served as a Sergeant in the 2nd Battalion of the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry. HIs reminiscences cover garrison duty in Gibraltar and the Egyptian campaign of 1882. Sergeant Philip was present at the two battles of Kassassin and also fought at the battle of Tel-el-Kebir. At Kassassin his head was ‘creased’ by a bullet, and he attributes his life to his chinstrap chain which deflected the bullet. His memoirs are a fascinating insight into an NCO’s life and should appeal to anyone interested in the Victorian army and the British Empire at the height of its power. As its author writes: ‘The whole object of this book is to give the reader as true and clear idea of the soldier’s life on the battle- as well as the tented field, accompanied by a short account of outward sights in the streets of Gibraltar, Alexandria and Cairo’. Illustrated by a frontispiece of the author in Aberdeen city police uniform.