Major Crum fought in the Second Boer War (1890–1902) in the Mounted Infantry, where he was wounded and taken prisoner. After peacetime service in India he retired due to the effects of his injuries, and became involved in the Boy Scout movement, founding the 7th Troop of Boy Scouts at Stirling in Scotland in 1909. On the outbreak of war in 1914 he rejoined the Rifle Corps and served with its 8th Battalion in France until 1919, specializing in trench sniping.

This book is not only a fascinating account of a military career in the early years of the twentieth century, but also an insight into the mind and character of an officer of the period. The creation of the Boy Scouts was closely bound up with issues of national character and military preparedness before WW1, and this book clearly demonstrates that link.

The Foreword is written by the military historian and expert on sniping Adrian Gilbert, author of Sniper and Stalk and Kill.