Carry On: Letters in War-Time

In Short

This book is a collection of private letters written by a novelist-turned-artillery officer to his family while serving with the Canadian Field Artillery in France during the First World War. Framed by an affectionate poem from his brother and an introduction by his father, the letters document a citizen-soldier’s transition from training camps to the mud and shell-fire of the Somme. Rather than focusing on grand strategy, the text endures as a deeply personal record of how an idealist copes with horror, finding a quiet, transformative moral purpose in endurance and self-sacrifice.

The Story

The book opens with a poetic reflection by the author's brother on the lingering impact of war, followed by an introduction written by his father, W.J. Dawson. His father explains that these intimate letters were never originally intended for publication, but were gathered to inspire others facing immense personal sacrifice. He describes his son Coningsby not as a professional soldier, but as a civilian called to duty who finds his fortitude in a quiet commitment to "carry on."

The narrative sequence begins in the summer of 1916 at Petewawa Military Camp in Canada, where Lieutenant Coningsby Dawson volunteers for active service to replace artillery casualties at the front. After arriving in England for specialized training, he sends home tender letters reflecting on his rapid transformation. He candidly admits his own disbelief at becoming a soldier and acknowledges the heartache his departure causes his family, while taking comfort in the feeling that he is participating in a necessary, selfless cause.

By September 1916, Dawson crosses into France and embarks on a chaotic journey to locate his assigned battery. He describes his initial, disorienting encounters with the front: sleeping on stretchers in sand-bagged shell-holes, shaving with steam from train engines, and watching columns of dirty, exhausted German prisoners. Promoted quickly to forward observation posts, he spends grueling twenty-four-hour shifts lying face down in thick, treacly mud to direct artillery fire.

Throughout the autumn, Dawson writes regularly by candlelight, reflecting on the psychological realities of bombardment. He discovers that the immediate experience of shell-fire breeds a surprising detachment, where humor and distraction replace the paralyzing dread he had once feared. Yet he remains keenly aware of the daily tragedies around him, such as the sudden deaths of fellow officers and the unending physical misery of wet, cold trenches.

A brief nine-day leave in January 1917 allows Dawson to reunite with his family in London. Their time together in a dark, resolute city offers a joyful respite, but returning to the front exposes the jarring contrast between civilian normalcy and the grim realities of the line. Walking across frozen, body-strewn battlefields, Dawson contemplates his own mortality with quiet acceptance. In his final letters, he addresses friends and family with a deepened conviction, arguing that the relentless discomforts and mortal risks of war ultimately purify the human spirit, giving profound meaning to the lives of ordinary men.

How It Unfolds

Volunteering for the front After rigorous winter training at Kingston, Dawson spends a pleasant summer at Petewawa Camp on the Ottawa River. When an officer arrives seeking replacements for artillery casualties in France, he immediately steps forward to join the overseas draft.

Crossing to England Arriving in Shorncliffe, Dawson completes intensive courses in gunnery, riding, and gun-laying. He writes emotional letters to his parents, recognizing the deep grief of those left behind while seeking to reassure them of his resolve.

Journey to the line Dawson disembarks in France and travels across the country by train, lorry, and foot to locate his assigned unit. Along the way, he encounters muddy infantrymen, degenerated enemy prisoners, and the welcoming shelter of Y.M.C.A. tents.

Life in the observation post Posted to a frontline battery, Dawson takes on the dangerous task of observing artillery fire from forward trenches. Lying in deep mud under shell-fire, he notes that interest in dodging incoming shells overcomes his fear of dying.

Reflections under fire As autumn turns to winter, Dawson lives in sand-bagged shell-holes beneath ground level, surviving on tinned rations and heavy tea. He describes rescuing a fatally wounded officer and marvels at how the daily proximity of death strips away trivial civilian anxieties.

A brief London leave In January 1917, Dawson meets his family in London for nine days of theatre, dinners, and reunions. The city appears transformed by silent courage and sacrifice, providing a vivid, joyful interlude before he returns to the freezing trenches.

Return to the mud Back at the front, Dawson guides artillery across snow-covered, shell-furrowed battlefields strewn with unburied dead. Listening to gramophone music accompanied by the boom of heavy guns, he accepts his duty with serene spiritual quietude.

The People

• Coningsby Dawson: A thoughtful novelist who becomes a lieutenant in the Canadian Field Artillery. He wants to fulfill his moral obligation and protect his loved ones, despite hating the brutalities of war. Facing constant bombardment, physical exhaustion, and the loss of friends, he transforms from an anxious idealist into a serene, courageous officer who views his personal sacrifice as a spiritual redemption.
• W.J. Dawson: Coningsby’s father, who writes the book's introduction. He wants to offer comfort and strength to other families undergoing the anguish of wartime separation. Though burdened by deep heartache and loneliness, he comes to accept his son's soldierly calling with proud, spiritual resignation.
• M. (and the Dawson Family): The author's mother and family members, who serve as the emotional anchors of his letters. They want nothing more than his safe return, sending him constant care packages of socks, mittens, food, and books. Their unwavering support provides the comfort that keeps Coningsby tethered to his humanity amidst the mud.
• The Officers and "Tommies": The fellow artillerymen and infantry soldiers serving beside Dawson. They want to endure the intolerable conditions and return home to their sweethearts. Facing cold, lice, and constant danger, they maintain a grim, humorous resilience, using slang like "no bloody bon" while carrying out heroic duties without complaint.

In Its Own Voice

When writing to his family about his initial experiences in the forward observation posts, Dawson describes the overwhelming physical conditions of the Western Front:

"I never knew that mud could be so thick and treacly."

Reflecting on his internal change after experiencing prolonged bombardment, he contemplates how facing mortal danger alters his perception of anxiety:

"Terror has a terrible fascination. Up to now I have always been afraid--afraid of small fears. At last I meet fear itself and it stings my pride into an unpremeditated courage."

In a long, reflective letter to a friend, he summarizes the true strain of trench warfare:

"The thing which wears on one most and calls out his gravest courage is the endless sequence of physical discomfort."

What It's Really About

At its core, the book explores the spiritual transformation of civilian minds thrust into catastrophic conflict. It argues that while war is inherently horrific, cruel, and physically degrading, the complete surrender of self to a higher cause can purify the human character. Dawson contrasts the trivial, selfish concerns of pre-war civilian life with the profound, uncalculating brotherhood found among men in the trenches. The narrative examines how ordinary people discover an unexpected capacity for noble endurance when driven by duty rather than personal ambition. It ultimately posits that the true tragedy of life is not physical death, but the failure to answer the call of moral purpose when it arrives.

Why Read It Today

This collection offers an unusually gentle, articulate window into the mind of an educated soldier navigating the horror of the Somme. Readers who appreciate intimate, reflective non-fiction will find Dawson’s prose both elegant and deeply moving. Unlike stylized memoirs written long after the fact, these letters capture the immediate, unvarnished emotional trajectory of a young man living day-to-day under the threat of annihilation.

The text does present mild period difficulties. The narrative is punctuated by occasional French phrases, military jargon, and early twentieth-century literary allusions that reflect the author's classical background. Additionally, readers will encounter the earnest, uncompromising patriotism and religious idealism typical of the 1910s, which may feel distinct from modern, cynical war literature. Yet the emotional core of the work—the struggle to preserve one's warmth, dignity, and love for family amidst absolute squalor—remains universally touching. It leaves the reader with a quiet admiration for human resilience and a haunting sense of what a generation gave up.

<FollowUp label="Would you like to explore similar First World War personal narratives?" query="What are other notable public-domain personal narratives and letter collections from First World War soldiers?"/>