This fascinating book chronicles the period from December 1915 to May 1916 during which Churchill left politics and served as a Lieutenant Colonel on the western front. He chose this dangerous service because he could not endure the impotence of his position as Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster following the formation of the coalition government which ruled Great Britain from 1915 to the end of World War 1.

The book was initially written by Captain Dewar Gibb who served as Adjutant to Churchill during the period of his command on the western front. It was originally published in 1924 but this is a new edition with additional information published in 2016.

When he eft the Government, Churchill was offered the command of a Brigade by the Commander in Chief of the British forces in France, Field Marshal Sir John French. However, because of perceived political difficulties he ultimately commanded a Battalion, the 2nd Battalion of the 6th Royal Scottish Fusiliers which was part of the 9th Division, the first formation raised as part of Kitchener’s new army. A British Battalion at the time of Churchill’s command consisted of 30 officers and 1,000 men. The command of a battalion is an exposed position for any commander because the unit is small enough to allow the men to see and feel the consequences of all his actions and omissions, in combat and every other aspect of command. Had Churchill been deficient in any aspect of command, it would certainly have been noticed. The men also see enough of their commander to obtain an impression of him as a man.

That Churchill’s official biographers, Martin Gilbert and Randolph Churchill quote from the book on numerous occasions emphasises its reliability. It is hard to imagine a more important source for Churchill’s time at the front from both the student of history is concerned, or as an author researching this period of his life.

The book evidences that Churchill was a very able, brave, and compassionate commander through numerous anecdotes from the author and from soldiers in the battalion. It shows character traits that Churchill exhibited his whole life, but with a different emphasis because of the circumstances to which he was exposed.

I recommend it unreservedly.

Rex Bashford, author of the 'Hitler's Imperfect Victories' Trilogy

"...a good book for anyone interested in Churchill, and also for those who might want to learn more about command at the front during the Great War."

The NYMAS Review, July-August 2022

"This is a view of Churchill different from every episode in his memorable life."

Read the review here

Roads to the Great War

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Gun Mart Magazine

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Great War IPMS, Great War SIG newsletter – October 2021

Many books have been written about Winston Churchill. For anyone who has more than a passing interest in this historical icon of the last century, there is more than a lifetime’s worth of material to read.  What is perhaps less covered is his experience during the First World War on the Western Front. That said, for anyone who is interested in Churchill, this is a pivotal part of his story and character. Following the resignation from the government after the Gallipoli campaign Churchill, already a major in the Territorial Reserve, was offered promotion to Lieutenant Colonel. With this came the command of a battalion on the Western Front with the 6th (Service) Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers... Another thing to note about this book. It is a marvellous book to be able to pick up. The chapters are short, and you can get a real feel of the story quickly. The last chapter is also of added value given that is provides detail for the visitor to Plugstreet today, where Lieutenant Colonel Churchill spent so much time.

Jon Sandison, Freelance

The book is well illustrated with photos and maps, including some of Winston’s own paintings he made whilst in reserve trenches. Also at the end of the book is a very detailed description of the area covered in the book as it is in current day, with directions by car and on foot to visit the various locations the Battalion was stationed in at Plugstreet. A mini guide book as such.

ARRSE

Another and most welcome new edition of a book first published in 1924 under the pseudonym Captain X described here by his son as a 'complex, compelling and much loved man.'

Military History Society

A welcome addition to literature of the First World War and for the study of what made Churchill the man he was.

SOFNAM

This book is an excellent edited version of the original account, adding further material to support and complete the original work, some of which are from Churchill’s own letters, some others are from soldiers themselves. There are some amusing anecdotes and, together with the additional background information, this gives the reader an insider’s view, not only to a battalion at the front in early 1916, but also into Churchill’s personality whilst a battalion commander. The last chapter is written as a very useful battlefield guide to Churchill’s ‘front’ at Ploegsteert in Belgium should the reader wish to visit. A great book and recommended read for any Churchillian of what must be the most comprehensive narrative of Churchill’s time at the front.

Gallipoli Association

This is an excellent reproduction of the original 1924 text with some handy explanations and putting things in to context. This book has always been an excellent addition to the Winston Churchill canon of literature, but in most books about him his time on the front rates a few paragraphs.

This book illuminates a much forgotten part of Churchill’s personal history, when after the shambles of the Gallipoli campaign, his political career stalled. Even though out of government he still wanted to fight the Central Powers, and was a major in the territorials, was offered a promotion to Lieutenant Colonel and command of a battalion on the Western Front.

In January 1916 he took up command of the 6th Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers, and he formed a close relationship with his adjutant Captain Dewar Gibb, which we learn went on far beyond the trenches. Captain Dewar originally wrote under the pseudonym of Captain X, but over the subsequent years we now know who he is and was.

Something that Dewar shows that Churchill rather than being the bombastic person we know he could be was a caring and compassionate, military leader who was utterly fearless in the face of the enemy. Something that does come across in this book is how much he was respected and adored by all those that served under him.

Gibb’s story is packed with historical detail and some wonderful anecdotes which are absolutely fascinating. Now that story has been supplemented with Churchill’s own letters, and observations of other soldiers, with additional narrative. Those who read this book will be completely absorbed by this account and it yet another view on Churchill that we do not often see.

Once again this is a fascinating and absorbing account of a much forgotten period in Churchill’s life, once a soldier always a soldier.

AtticusFinch

An excellent read. A good mix of the original 1924 text and modern explanations and expansions.

Expands on what is often covered in only a few paragraphs or at most a page or two in most other books on Churchill.

It does mainly cover the 3 month period in which Churchill was CO, 6th Royal Scots Fusiliers but does so in depth.

Gives good insight into the type of leader Churchill was and the care he had for his men.

Mama Hammy, Amazon Reviewer

Selected for Book of the Week.

The Daily Mail 26/8/16

... A new version of Gibb’s book has recently been published by Frontline Books, 92 years after the first edition, with the somewhat awkward title of With Winston Churchill at the Front, Winston in the Trenches 1916. Although the original text has been “unaltered and uncorrected,” Nigel Dewar Gibb, the son of the author, has enlarged the original volume with a new introduction as well as additional chapters and text. The introduction provides a biographical portrait of his father, with interesting personal touches, such as his father quitting eating out in protest at the high prices charged in restaurants. New text, based mostly on Churchill’s letters and writings, is combined in the book with the original manuscript. The original 1924 text is printed in bold and is interspersed with new text that is printed in lighter weight and indented. In reading the volume, alternating between the two texts is smooth and works well. The younger Gibb has uncovered some nuggets in his research, including that Churchill made a total of 36 “forays” into No-Man’s Land while in command of the battalion.

In this new edition, Nigel Dewar Gibb has told a more complete story of Churchill’s experiences with the Royal Scots Fusiliers. The manuscript is supported by several interesting photographs.

A Blog on Winston Churchill

...Gibb’s story is packed with historical detail and some wonderful anecdotes which are absolutely fascinating. Now that story has been supplemented with Churchill’s own letters, and observations of other soldiers, with additional narrative. Those who read this book will be completely absorbed by this account and it yet another view on Churchill that we do not often see.

Once again this is a fascinating and absorbing account of a much forgotten period in Churchill’s life, once a soldier always a soldier.

Paul Diggett

An account by Major Dewar Gibb, originally under the pen name of Captain X, of his time
in the trenches with Winston Churchill. This is a story about one stage in the life of one of the most important people of the 20th Century. It will of course appeal to all those interested in the land actions of WWI and it will appeal to all those who are interested in politics and politicians. It should appeal to a very wider audience because it is about a truly inspirational and controversial individual who is much larger than life. A great story, told with humour, and a great individual. Most recommended.

Firetrench

One normally thinks of Winston Churchill as being involved mainly in the defence of Britain during the Second World War, putting his early military career firmly to one side. Gibb's study of Churchill's involvement on the Western Front reads like a Boys' Own Paper story. Contains material from Churchill's own letters, and provides a comprehensive telling of his story and experiences that saw him emerge from the war a stronger and more popular man with an enormous destiny ahead of him. Brilliant.

Books Monthly, May 2016 - Paul Norman

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Britain at War Magazine June 2016

An interesting book to read and one I found gave a good insight to a period of the career of one of our most famous statesmen, and a part of his story I for one had known nothing about before.

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Military Modelling - Robin Buckland

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The Daily Mail 19/5/16

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