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<rss xmlns:itunes="http://www.itunes.com/dtds/podcast-1.0.dtd" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xmlns:podcast="https://podcastindex.org/namespace/1.0" xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" version="2.0"><channel><title>First From the Front</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/first-from-the-front--7176724</link><description><![CDATA[Dive into the heart of wartime experiences with "First From the Front," a podcast that brings the realities of conflict to life through a rotating collection of audiobooks. Each episode features a new complete audiobook that explores the multifaceted nature of war, from the harrowing trials faced by those on the front lines to the poignant moments of humanity that emerge amidst chaos. This series is not just about the battles fought, but also about the stories of resilience, camaraderie, and the unexpected humor that can arise in the darkest of times. Through diverse narratives, listeners are invited to reflect on the profound impacts of war and the indomitable spirit of those who lived through it. Discover a new book with every episode and broaden your understanding of the historical and emotional landscapes shaped by conflict, allowing you to connect with voices from the past in a deeply resonant way.]]></description><atom:link href="https://www.spreaker.com/show/7176724/episodes/feed" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><language>en</language><category>Books</category><copyright>Copyright War and Military Genre</copyright><image><url>https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/73f7e473aedf45f94b9920dace20097b.jpg</url><title>First From the Front</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/first-from-the-front--7176724</link></image><lastBuildDate>Thu, 27 Aug 2026 09:22:57 +0000</lastBuildDate><itunes:author>Harold Ashton</itunes:author><itunes:owner><itunes:name>War and Military Genre</itunes:name><itunes:email>spreaker89@podcastlibrary.org</itunes:email></itunes:owner><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/73f7e473aedf45f94b9920dace20097b.jpg"/><itunes:subtitle>Dive into the heart of wartime experiences with "First From the Front," a podcast that brings the realities of conflict to life through a rotating collection of audiobooks. Each episode features a new complete audiobook that explores the multifaceted...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Dive into the heart of wartime experiences with "First From the Front," a podcast that brings the realities of conflict to life through a rotating collection of audiobooks. Each episode features a new complete audiobook that explores the multifaceted nature of war, from the harrowing trials faced by those on the front lines to the poignant moments of humanity that emerge amidst chaos. This series is not just about the battles fought, but also about the stories of resilience, camaraderie, and the unexpected humor that can arise in the darkest of times. Through diverse narratives, listeners are invited to reflect on the profound impacts of war and the indomitable spirit of those who lived through it. Discover a new book with every episode and broaden your understanding of the historical and emotional landscapes shaped by conflict, allowing you to connect with voices from the past in a deeply resonant way.]]></itunes:summary><itunes:category text="Arts"><itunes:category text="Books"/></itunes:category><itunes:category text="History"/><itunes:category text="Society &amp; Culture"/><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><podcast:guid>1b130492-eed4-506f-9bba-e4d544d884bc</podcast:guid><itunes:type>episodic</itunes:type><item><title>First Two Stuarts and the Puritan Revolution 1603-1660-Samuel Rawson Gardiner</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/first-two-stuarts-and-the-puritan-revolution-1603-1660-samuel-rawson-gardiner--74636891</link><description><![CDATA[In this brief book I have lifted a very small corner of the curtain of war, to tell of my adventures — a week in the North Sea, and a breathless score of days in Northern France. I have touched upon both Tragedy and Comedy as they came my way. The tragedy is terrible enough - I have put it down plainly and unvarnished. From Tragedy to Comedy, it is but a step, along the gloomiest corridor of life one sees the flash of the cap and hears the rattle of the bells. Otherwise, it would be unbearable. And if my little bell would seem to jangle out of tune, I cannot help it. The bell was there; now and again it rang, and some of us smiled at the music of it. (Extract from the Introduction of First From The Front) At the outbreak of the First World War, Harold Ashton became War Correspondent of The Daily News and almost immediately managed to join up with a Danish Sea captain who had been commissioned to transport food supplies from Denmark to various ports in England. After this North Sea adventure, he then made his way to Northern France and accompanied various military units, both British and French as they deployed into various sectors of the war zone. His reporting focused on the 'human interest' aspect of the events that he witnessed, and he provided his readers with a unique insight into many aspects of the military buildup, as he chronicled the early stages of what was eventually to be called, The Great War. - Summary by Steve C]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74636891</guid><pubDate>Thu, 27 Aug 2026 09:03:14 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74636891/first_two_stuarts_and_the_puritan_revolution_1603_1660_samuel_rawson_gardiner.mp3" length="219367994" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Harold Ashton</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>In this brief book I have lifted a very small corner of the curtain of war, to tell of my adventures — a week in the North Sea, and a breathless score of days in Northern France. I have touched upon both Tragedy and Comedy as they came my way. The...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[In this brief book I have lifted a very small corner of the curtain of war, to tell of my adventures — a week in the North Sea, and a breathless score of days in Northern France. I have touched upon both Tragedy and Comedy as they came my way. The tragedy is terrible enough - I have put it down plainly and unvarnished. From Tragedy to Comedy, it is but a step, along the gloomiest corridor of life one sees the flash of the cap and hears the rattle of the bells. Otherwise, it would be unbearable. And if my little bell would seem to jangle out of tune, I cannot help it. The bell was there; now and again it rang, and some of us smiled at the music of it. (Extract from the Introduction of First From The Front) At the outbreak of the First World War, Harold Ashton became War Correspondent of The Daily News and almost immediately managed to join up with a Danish Sea captain who had been commissioned to transport food supplies from Denmark to various ports in England. After this North Sea adventure, he then made his way to Northern France and accompanied various military units, both British and French as they deployed into various sectors of the war zone. His reporting focused on the 'human interest' aspect of the events that he witnessed, and he provided his readers with a unique insight into many aspects of the military buildup, as he chronicled the early stages of what was eventually to be called, The Great War. - Summary by Steve C]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>27394</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/73f7e473aedf45f94b9920dace20097b.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Surprising Adventures of Bampfylde Moore Carew, King of the Beggars-Bampfylde Moore Carew, Robert Goadby</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/surprising-adventures-of-bampfylde-moore-carew-king-of-the-beggars-bampfylde-moore-carew-robert-goadby--74604168</link><description><![CDATA[In this brief book I have lifted a very small corner of the curtain of war, to tell of my adventures — a week in the North Sea, and a breathless score of days in Northern France. I have touched upon both Tragedy and Comedy as they came my way. The tragedy is terrible enough - I have put it down plainly and unvarnished. From Tragedy to Comedy, it is but a step, along the gloomiest corridor of life one sees the flash of the cap and hears the rattle of the bells. Otherwise, it would be unbearable. And if my little bell would seem to jangle out of tune, I cannot help it. The bell was there; now and again it rang, and some of us smiled at the music of it. (Extract from the Introduction of First From The Front) At the outbreak of the First World War, Harold Ashton became War Correspondent of The Daily News and almost immediately managed to join up with a Danish Sea captain who had been commissioned to transport food supplies from Denmark to various ports in England. After this North Sea adventure, he then made his way to Northern France and accompanied various military units, both British and French as they deployed into various sectors of the war zone. His reporting focused on the 'human interest' aspect of the events that he witnessed, and he provided his readers with a unique insight into many aspects of the military buildup, as he chronicled the early stages of what was eventually to be called, The Great War. - Summary by Steve C]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74604168</guid><pubDate>Wed, 26 Aug 2026 09:03:30 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74604168/9029_surprising_adventures_of_bampfylde_moore_carew_king_of_the_beggars_bampfylde_moore_carew_robert_goadby.mp3" length="216939027" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Harold Ashton</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>In this brief book I have lifted a very small corner of the curtain of war, to tell of my adventures — a week in the North Sea, and a breathless score of days in Northern France. I have touched upon both Tragedy and Comedy as they came my way. The...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[In this brief book I have lifted a very small corner of the curtain of war, to tell of my adventures — a week in the North Sea, and a breathless score of days in Northern France. I have touched upon both Tragedy and Comedy as they came my way. The tragedy is terrible enough - I have put it down plainly and unvarnished. From Tragedy to Comedy, it is but a step, along the gloomiest corridor of life one sees the flash of the cap and hears the rattle of the bells. Otherwise, it would be unbearable. And if my little bell would seem to jangle out of tune, I cannot help it. The bell was there; now and again it rang, and some of us smiled at the music of it. (Extract from the Introduction of First From The Front) At the outbreak of the First World War, Harold Ashton became War Correspondent of The Daily News and almost immediately managed to join up with a Danish Sea captain who had been commissioned to transport food supplies from Denmark to various ports in England. After this North Sea adventure, he then made his way to Northern France and accompanied various military units, both British and French as they deployed into various sectors of the war zone. His reporting focused on the 'human interest' aspect of the events that he witnessed, and he provided his readers with a unique insight into many aspects of the military buildup, as he chronicled the early stages of what was eventually to be called, The Great War. - Summary by Steve C]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>27090</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/73f7e473aedf45f94b9920dace20097b.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Ashton-Kirk, Investigator-John Thomas McIntyre</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/ashton-kirk-investigator-john-thomas-mcintyre--74572044</link><description><![CDATA[In this brief book I have lifted a very small corner of the curtain of war, to tell of my adventures — a week in the North Sea, and a breathless score of days in Northern France. I have touched upon both Tragedy and Comedy as they came my way. The tragedy is terrible enough - I have put it down plainly and unvarnished. From Tragedy to Comedy, it is but a step, along the gloomiest corridor of life one sees the flash of the cap and hears the rattle of the bells. Otherwise, it would be unbearable. And if my little bell would seem to jangle out of tune, I cannot help it. The bell was there; now and again it rang, and some of us smiled at the music of it. (Extract from the Introduction of First From The Front) At the outbreak of the First World War, Harold Ashton became War Correspondent of The Daily News and almost immediately managed to join up with a Danish Sea captain who had been commissioned to transport food supplies from Denmark to various ports in England. After this North Sea adventure, he then made his way to Northern France and accompanied various military units, both British and French as they deployed into various sectors of the war zone. His reporting focused on the 'human interest' aspect of the events that he witnessed, and he provided his readers with a unique insight into many aspects of the military buildup, as he chronicled the early stages of what was eventually to be called, The Great War. - Summary by Steve C]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74572044</guid><pubDate>Tue, 25 Aug 2026 09:03:03 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74572044/ashton_kirk_investigator_john_thomas_mcintyre.mp3" length="90476083" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Harold Ashton</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>In this brief book I have lifted a very small corner of the curtain of war, to tell of my adventures — a week in the North Sea, and a breathless score of days in Northern France. I have touched upon both Tragedy and Comedy as they came my way. The...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[In this brief book I have lifted a very small corner of the curtain of war, to tell of my adventures — a week in the North Sea, and a breathless score of days in Northern France. I have touched upon both Tragedy and Comedy as they came my way. The tragedy is terrible enough - I have put it down plainly and unvarnished. From Tragedy to Comedy, it is but a step, along the gloomiest corridor of life one sees the flash of the cap and hears the rattle of the bells. Otherwise, it would be unbearable. And if my little bell would seem to jangle out of tune, I cannot help it. The bell was there; now and again it rang, and some of us smiled at the music of it. (Extract from the Introduction of First From The Front) At the outbreak of the First World War, Harold Ashton became War Correspondent of The Daily News and almost immediately managed to join up with a Danish Sea captain who had been commissioned to transport food supplies from Denmark to various ports in England. After this North Sea adventure, he then made his way to Northern France and accompanied various military units, both British and French as they deployed into various sectors of the war zone. His reporting focused on the 'human interest' aspect of the events that he witnessed, and he provided his readers with a unique insight into many aspects of the military buildup, as he chronicled the early stages of what was eventually to be called, The Great War. - Summary by Steve C]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>11298</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/73f7e473aedf45f94b9920dace20097b.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Road Past Kennesaw The Atlanta Campaign Of 1864-Richard M. McMurry</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/road-past-kennesaw-the-atlanta-campaign-of-1864-richard-m-mcmurry--74541944</link><description><![CDATA[In this brief book I have lifted a very small corner of the curtain of war, to tell of my adventures — a week in the North Sea, and a breathless score of days in Northern France. I have touched upon both Tragedy and Comedy as they came my way. The tragedy is terrible enough - I have put it down plainly and unvarnished. From Tragedy to Comedy, it is but a step, along the gloomiest corridor of life one sees the flash of the cap and hears the rattle of the bells. Otherwise, it would be unbearable. And if my little bell would seem to jangle out of tune, I cannot help it. The bell was there; now and again it rang, and some of us smiled at the music of it. (Extract from the Introduction of First From The Front) At the outbreak of the First World War, Harold Ashton became War Correspondent of The Daily News and almost immediately managed to join up with a Danish Sea captain who had been commissioned to transport food supplies from Denmark to various ports in England. After this North Sea adventure, he then made his way to Northern France and accompanied various military units, both British and French as they deployed into various sectors of the war zone. His reporting focused on the 'human interest' aspect of the events that he witnessed, and he provided his readers with a unique insight into many aspects of the military buildup, as he chronicled the early stages of what was eventually to be called, The Great War. - Summary by Steve C]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74541944</guid><pubDate>Mon, 24 Aug 2026 09:09:42 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74541944/road_past_kennesaw_the_atlanta_campaign_of_1864_richard_m_mcmurry.mp3" length="51164363" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Harold Ashton</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>In this brief book I have lifted a very small corner of the curtain of war, to tell of my adventures — a week in the North Sea, and a breathless score of days in Northern France. I have touched upon both Tragedy and Comedy as they came my way. The...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[In this brief book I have lifted a very small corner of the curtain of war, to tell of my adventures — a week in the North Sea, and a breathless score of days in Northern France. I have touched upon both Tragedy and Comedy as they came my way. The tragedy is terrible enough - I have put it down plainly and unvarnished. From Tragedy to Comedy, it is but a step, along the gloomiest corridor of life one sees the flash of the cap and hears the rattle of the bells. Otherwise, it would be unbearable. And if my little bell would seem to jangle out of tune, I cannot help it. The bell was there; now and again it rang, and some of us smiled at the music of it. (Extract from the Introduction of First From The Front) At the outbreak of the First World War, Harold Ashton became War Correspondent of The Daily News and almost immediately managed to join up with a Danish Sea captain who had been commissioned to transport food supplies from Denmark to various ports in England. After this North Sea adventure, he then made his way to Northern France and accompanied various military units, both British and French as they deployed into various sectors of the war zone. His reporting focused on the 'human interest' aspect of the events that he witnessed, and he provided his readers with a unique insight into many aspects of the military buildup, as he chronicled the early stages of what was eventually to be called, The Great War. - Summary by Steve C]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>6389</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/73f7e473aedf45f94b9920dace20097b.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark (version 4)-William Shakespeare</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/tragedy-of-hamlet-prince-of-denmark-version-4-william-shakespeare--74510345</link><description><![CDATA[In this brief book I have lifted a very small corner of the curtain of war, to tell of my adventures — a week in the North Sea, and a breathless score of days in Northern France. I have touched upon both Tragedy and Comedy as they came my way. The tragedy is terrible enough - I have put it down plainly and unvarnished. From Tragedy to Comedy, it is but a step, along the gloomiest corridor of life one sees the flash of the cap and hears the rattle of the bells. Otherwise, it would be unbearable. And if my little bell would seem to jangle out of tune, I cannot help it. The bell was there; now and again it rang, and some of us smiled at the music of it. (Extract from the Introduction of First From The Front) At the outbreak of the First World War, Harold Ashton became War Correspondent of The Daily News and almost immediately managed to join up with a Danish Sea captain who had been commissioned to transport food supplies from Denmark to various ports in England. After this North Sea adventure, he then made his way to Northern France and accompanied various military units, both British and French as they deployed into various sectors of the war zone. His reporting focused on the 'human interest' aspect of the events that he witnessed, and he provided his readers with a unique insight into many aspects of the military buildup, as he chronicled the early stages of what was eventually to be called, The Great War. - Summary by Steve C]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74510345</guid><pubDate>Sun, 23 Aug 2026 09:09:21 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74510345/tragedy_of_hamlet_prince_of_denmark_version_4_william_shakespeare.mp3" length="108877120" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Harold Ashton</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>In this brief book I have lifted a very small corner of the curtain of war, to tell of my adventures — a week in the North Sea, and a breathless score of days in Northern France. I have touched upon both Tragedy and Comedy as they came my way. The...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[In this brief book I have lifted a very small corner of the curtain of war, to tell of my adventures — a week in the North Sea, and a breathless score of days in Northern France. I have touched upon both Tragedy and Comedy as they came my way. The tragedy is terrible enough - I have put it down plainly and unvarnished. From Tragedy to Comedy, it is but a step, along the gloomiest corridor of life one sees the flash of the cap and hears the rattle of the bells. Otherwise, it would be unbearable. And if my little bell would seem to jangle out of tune, I cannot help it. The bell was there; now and again it rang, and some of us smiled at the music of it. (Extract from the Introduction of First From The Front) At the outbreak of the First World War, Harold Ashton became War Correspondent of The Daily News and almost immediately managed to join up with a Danish Sea captain who had been commissioned to transport food supplies from Denmark to various ports in England. After this North Sea adventure, he then made his way to Northern France and accompanied various military units, both British and French as they deployed into various sectors of the war zone. His reporting focused on the 'human interest' aspect of the events that he witnessed, and he provided his readers with a unique insight into many aspects of the military buildup, as he chronicled the early stages of what was eventually to be called, The Great War. - Summary by Steve C]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>13596</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/73f7e473aedf45f94b9920dace20097b.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>A.E.F. With General Pershing and the American Forces-Heywood Broun</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/a-e-f-with-general-pershing-and-the-american-forces-heywood-broun--74474014</link><description><![CDATA[In this brief book I have lifted a very small corner of the curtain of war, to tell of my adventures — a week in the North Sea, and a breathless score of days in Northern France. I have touched upon both Tragedy and Comedy as they came my way. The tragedy is terrible enough - I have put it down plainly and unvarnished. From Tragedy to Comedy, it is but a step, along the gloomiest corridor of life one sees the flash of the cap and hears the rattle of the bells. Otherwise, it would be unbearable. And if my little bell would seem to jangle out of tune, I cannot help it. The bell was there; now and again it rang, and some of us smiled at the music of it. (Extract from the Introduction of First From The Front) At the outbreak of the First World War, Harold Ashton became War Correspondent of The Daily News and almost immediately managed to join up with a Danish Sea captain who had been commissioned to transport food supplies from Denmark to various ports in England. After this North Sea adventure, he then made his way to Northern France and accompanied various military units, both British and French as they deployed into various sectors of the war zone. His reporting focused on the 'human interest' aspect of the events that he witnessed, and he provided his readers with a unique insight into many aspects of the military buildup, as he chronicled the early stages of what was eventually to be called, The Great War. - Summary by Steve C]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74474014</guid><pubDate>Sat, 22 Aug 2026 09:08:30 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74474014/a_e_f_with_general_pershing_and_the_american_forces_heywood_broun.mp3" length="153267942" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Harold Ashton</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>In this brief book I have lifted a very small corner of the curtain of war, to tell of my adventures — a week in the North Sea, and a breathless score of days in Northern France. I have touched upon both Tragedy and Comedy as they came my way. The...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[In this brief book I have lifted a very small corner of the curtain of war, to tell of my adventures — a week in the North Sea, and a breathless score of days in Northern France. I have touched upon both Tragedy and Comedy as they came my way. The tragedy is terrible enough - I have put it down plainly and unvarnished. From Tragedy to Comedy, it is but a step, along the gloomiest corridor of life one sees the flash of the cap and hears the rattle of the bells. Otherwise, it would be unbearable. And if my little bell would seem to jangle out of tune, I cannot help it. The bell was there; now and again it rang, and some of us smiled at the music of it. (Extract from the Introduction of First From The Front) At the outbreak of the First World War, Harold Ashton became War Correspondent of The Daily News and almost immediately managed to join up with a Danish Sea captain who had been commissioned to transport food supplies from Denmark to various ports in England. After this North Sea adventure, he then made his way to Northern France and accompanied various military units, both British and French as they deployed into various sectors of the war zone. His reporting focused on the 'human interest' aspect of the events that he witnessed, and he provided his readers with a unique insight into many aspects of the military buildup, as he chronicled the early stages of what was eventually to be called, The Great War. - Summary by Steve C]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>19140</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/73f7e473aedf45f94b9920dace20097b.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Visit to Three Fronts June 1916-Sir Arthur Conan Doyle</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/visit-to-three-fronts-june-1916-sir-arthur-conan-doyle--74440030</link><description><![CDATA[In this brief book I have lifted a very small corner of the curtain of war, to tell of my adventures — a week in the North Sea, and a breathless score of days in Northern France. I have touched upon both Tragedy and Comedy as they came my way. The tragedy is terrible enough - I have put it down plainly and unvarnished. From Tragedy to Comedy, it is but a step, along the gloomiest corridor of life one sees the flash of the cap and hears the rattle of the bells. Otherwise, it would be unbearable. And if my little bell would seem to jangle out of tune, I cannot help it. The bell was there; now and again it rang, and some of us smiled at the music of it. (Extract from the Introduction of First From The Front) At the outbreak of the First World War, Harold Ashton became War Correspondent of The Daily News and almost immediately managed to join up with a Danish Sea captain who had been commissioned to transport food supplies from Denmark to various ports in England. After this North Sea adventure, he then made his way to Northern France and accompanied various military units, both British and French as they deployed into various sectors of the war zone. His reporting focused on the 'human interest' aspect of the events that he witnessed, and he provided his readers with a unique insight into many aspects of the military buildup, as he chronicled the early stages of what was eventually to be called, The Great War. - Summary by Steve C]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74440030</guid><pubDate>Fri, 21 Aug 2026 09:09:08 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74440030/visit_to_three_fronts_june_1916_sir_arthur_conan_doyle.mp3" length="46029034" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Harold Ashton</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>In this brief book I have lifted a very small corner of the curtain of war, to tell of my adventures — a week in the North Sea, and a breathless score of days in Northern France. I have touched upon both Tragedy and Comedy as they came my way. The...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[In this brief book I have lifted a very small corner of the curtain of war, to tell of my adventures — a week in the North Sea, and a breathless score of days in Northern France. I have touched upon both Tragedy and Comedy as they came my way. The tragedy is terrible enough - I have put it down plainly and unvarnished. From Tragedy to Comedy, it is but a step, along the gloomiest corridor of life one sees the flash of the cap and hears the rattle of the bells. Otherwise, it would be unbearable. And if my little bell would seem to jangle out of tune, I cannot help it. The bell was there; now and again it rang, and some of us smiled at the music of it. (Extract from the Introduction of First From The Front) At the outbreak of the First World War, Harold Ashton became War Correspondent of The Daily News and almost immediately managed to join up with a Danish Sea captain who had been commissioned to transport food supplies from Denmark to various ports in England. After this North Sea adventure, he then made his way to Northern France and accompanied various military units, both British and French as they deployed into various sectors of the war zone. His reporting focused on the 'human interest' aspect of the events that he witnessed, and he provided his readers with a unique insight into many aspects of the military buildup, as he chronicled the early stages of what was eventually to be called, The Great War. - Summary by Steve C]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>5748</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/73f7e473aedf45f94b9920dace20097b.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Lift-Luck on Southern Roads-Tickner Edwardes</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/lift-luck-on-southern-roads-tickner-edwardes--74403816</link><description><![CDATA[In this brief book I have lifted a very small corner of the curtain of war, to tell of my adventures — a week in the North Sea, and a breathless score of days in Northern France. I have touched upon both Tragedy and Comedy as they came my way. The tragedy is terrible enough - I have put it down plainly and unvarnished. From Tragedy to Comedy, it is but a step, along the gloomiest corridor of life one sees the flash of the cap and hears the rattle of the bells. Otherwise, it would be unbearable. And if my little bell would seem to jangle out of tune, I cannot help it. The bell was there; now and again it rang, and some of us smiled at the music of it. (Extract from the Introduction of First From The Front) At the outbreak of the First World War, Harold Ashton became War Correspondent of The Daily News and almost immediately managed to join up with a Danish Sea captain who had been commissioned to transport food supplies from Denmark to various ports in England. After this North Sea adventure, he then made his way to Northern France and accompanied various military units, both British and French as they deployed into various sectors of the war zone. His reporting focused on the 'human interest' aspect of the events that he witnessed, and he provided his readers with a unique insight into many aspects of the military buildup, as he chronicled the early stages of what was eventually to be called, The Great War. - Summary by Steve C]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74403816</guid><pubDate>Thu, 20 Aug 2026 17:00:38 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74403816/lift_luck_on_southern_roads_tickner_edwardes.mp3" length="277743820" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Harold Ashton</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>In this brief book I have lifted a very small corner of the curtain of war, to tell of my adventures — a week in the North Sea, and a breathless score of days in Northern France. I have touched upon both Tragedy and Comedy as they came my way. The...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[In this brief book I have lifted a very small corner of the curtain of war, to tell of my adventures — a week in the North Sea, and a breathless score of days in Northern France. I have touched upon both Tragedy and Comedy as they came my way. The tragedy is terrible enough - I have put it down plainly and unvarnished. From Tragedy to Comedy, it is but a step, along the gloomiest corridor of life one sees the flash of the cap and hears the rattle of the bells. Otherwise, it would be unbearable. And if my little bell would seem to jangle out of tune, I cannot help it. The bell was there; now and again it rang, and some of us smiled at the music of it. (Extract from the Introduction of First From The Front) At the outbreak of the First World War, Harold Ashton became War Correspondent of The Daily News and almost immediately managed to join up with a Danish Sea captain who had been commissioned to transport food supplies from Denmark to various ports in England. After this North Sea adventure, he then made his way to Northern France and accompanied various military units, both British and French as they deployed into various sectors of the war zone. His reporting focused on the 'human interest' aspect of the events that he witnessed, and he provided his readers with a unique insight into many aspects of the military buildup, as he chronicled the early stages of what was eventually to be called, The Great War. - Summary by Steve C]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>34683</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/73f7e473aedf45f94b9920dace20097b.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Western Boundary, and Other Essays-Helmuth Karl Bernhard Graf von Moltke</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/western-boundary-and-other-essays-helmuth-karl-bernhard-graf-von-moltke--74358071</link><description><![CDATA[In this brief book I have lifted a very small corner of the curtain of war, to tell of my adventures — a week in the North Sea, and a breathless score of days in Northern France. I have touched upon both Tragedy and Comedy as they came my way. The tragedy is terrible enough - I have put it down plainly and unvarnished. From Tragedy to Comedy, it is but a step, along the gloomiest corridor of life one sees the flash of the cap and hears the rattle of the bells. Otherwise, it would be unbearable. And if my little bell would seem to jangle out of tune, I cannot help it. The bell was there; now and again it rang, and some of us smiled at the music of it. (Extract from the Introduction of First From The Front) At the outbreak of the First World War, Harold Ashton became War Correspondent of The Daily News and almost immediately managed to join up with a Danish Sea captain who had been commissioned to transport food supplies from Denmark to various ports in England. After this North Sea adventure, he then made his way to Northern France and accompanied various military units, both British and French as they deployed into various sectors of the war zone. His reporting focused on the 'human interest' aspect of the events that he witnessed, and he provided his readers with a unique insight into many aspects of the military buildup, as he chronicled the early stages of what was eventually to be called, The Great War. - Summary by Steve C]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74358071</guid><pubDate>Thu, 20 Aug 2026 03:52:35 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74358071/western_boundary_and_other_essays_helmuth_karl_bernhard_graf_von_moltke.mp3" length="148482048" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Harold Ashton</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>In this brief book I have lifted a very small corner of the curtain of war, to tell of my adventures — a week in the North Sea, and a breathless score of days in Northern France. I have touched upon both Tragedy and Comedy as they came my way. The...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[In this brief book I have lifted a very small corner of the curtain of war, to tell of my adventures — a week in the North Sea, and a breathless score of days in Northern France. I have touched upon both Tragedy and Comedy as they came my way. The tragedy is terrible enough - I have put it down plainly and unvarnished. From Tragedy to Comedy, it is but a step, along the gloomiest corridor of life one sees the flash of the cap and hears the rattle of the bells. Otherwise, it would be unbearable. And if my little bell would seem to jangle out of tune, I cannot help it. The bell was there; now and again it rang, and some of us smiled at the music of it. (Extract from the Introduction of First From The Front) At the outbreak of the First World War, Harold Ashton became War Correspondent of The Daily News and almost immediately managed to join up with a Danish Sea captain who had been commissioned to transport food supplies from Denmark to various ports in England. After this North Sea adventure, he then made his way to Northern France and accompanied various military units, both British and French as they deployed into various sectors of the war zone. His reporting focused on the 'human interest' aspect of the events that he witnessed, and he provided his readers with a unique insight into many aspects of the military buildup, as he chronicled the early stages of what was eventually to be called, The Great War. - Summary by Steve C]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>18542</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/73f7e473aedf45f94b9920dace20097b.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Burston Rebellion-Thomas George Higdon</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/burston-rebellion-thomas-george-higdon--74319823</link><description><![CDATA[In this brief book I have lifted a very small corner of the curtain of war, to tell of my adventures — a week in the North Sea, and a breathless score of days in Northern France. I have touched upon both Tragedy and Comedy as they came my way. The tragedy is terrible enough - I have put it down plainly and unvarnished. From Tragedy to Comedy, it is but a step, along the gloomiest corridor of life one sees the flash of the cap and hears the rattle of the bells. Otherwise, it would be unbearable. And if my little bell would seem to jangle out of tune, I cannot help it. The bell was there; now and again it rang, and some of us smiled at the music of it. (Extract from the Introduction of First From The Front) At the outbreak of the First World War, Harold Ashton became War Correspondent of The Daily News and almost immediately managed to join up with a Danish Sea captain who had been commissioned to transport food supplies from Denmark to various ports in England. After this North Sea adventure, he then made his way to Northern France and accompanied various military units, both British and French as they deployed into various sectors of the war zone. His reporting focused on the 'human interest' aspect of the events that he witnessed, and he provided his readers with a unique insight into many aspects of the military buildup, as he chronicled the early stages of what was eventually to be called, The Great War. - Summary by Steve C]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74319823</guid><pubDate>Wed, 19 Aug 2026 15:16:03 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74319823/19136_burston_rebellion_thomas_george_higdon.mp3" length="108343335" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Harold Ashton</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>In this brief book I have lifted a very small corner of the curtain of war, to tell of my adventures — a week in the North Sea, and a breathless score of days in Northern France. I have touched upon both Tragedy and Comedy as they came my way. The...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[In this brief book I have lifted a very small corner of the curtain of war, to tell of my adventures — a week in the North Sea, and a breathless score of days in Northern France. I have touched upon both Tragedy and Comedy as they came my way. The tragedy is terrible enough - I have put it down plainly and unvarnished. From Tragedy to Comedy, it is but a step, along the gloomiest corridor of life one sees the flash of the cap and hears the rattle of the bells. Otherwise, it would be unbearable. And if my little bell would seem to jangle out of tune, I cannot help it. The bell was there; now and again it rang, and some of us smiled at the music of it. (Extract from the Introduction of First From The Front) At the outbreak of the First World War, Harold Ashton became War Correspondent of The Daily News and almost immediately managed to join up with a Danish Sea captain who had been commissioned to transport food supplies from Denmark to various ports in England. After this North Sea adventure, he then made his way to Northern France and accompanied various military units, both British and French as they deployed into various sectors of the war zone. His reporting focused on the 'human interest' aspect of the events that he witnessed, and he provided his readers with a unique insight into many aspects of the military buildup, as he chronicled the early stages of what was eventually to be called, The Great War. - Summary by Steve C]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>13529</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/73f7e473aedf45f94b9920dace20097b.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Through Broadland in a Breydon Punt-Arthur Henry Patterson</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/through-broadland-in-a-breydon-punt-arthur-henry-patterson--74175260</link><description><![CDATA[In this brief book I have lifted a very small corner of the curtain of war, to tell of my adventures — a week in the North Sea, and a breathless score of days in Northern France. I have touched upon both Tragedy and Comedy as they came my way. The tragedy is terrible enough - I have put it down plainly and unvarnished. From Tragedy to Comedy, it is but a step, along the gloomiest corridor of life one sees the flash of the cap and hears the rattle of the bells. Otherwise, it would be unbearable. And if my little bell would seem to jangle out of tune, I cannot help it. The bell was there; now and again it rang, and some of us smiled at the music of it. (Extract from the Introduction of First From The Front) At the outbreak of the First World War, Harold Ashton became War Correspondent of The Daily News and almost immediately managed to join up with a Danish Sea captain who had been commissioned to transport food supplies from Denmark to various ports in England. After this North Sea adventure, he then made his way to Northern France and accompanied various military units, both British and French as they deployed into various sectors of the war zone. His reporting focused on the 'human interest' aspect of the events that he witnessed, and he provided his readers with a unique insight into many aspects of the military buildup, as he chronicled the early stages of what was eventually to be called, The Great War. - Summary by Steve C]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74175260</guid><pubDate>Mon, 17 Aug 2026 09:09:31 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74175260/through_broadland_in_a_breydon_punt_arthur_henry_patterson.mp3" length="136033236" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Harold Ashton</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>In this brief book I have lifted a very small corner of the curtain of war, to tell of my adventures — a week in the North Sea, and a breathless score of days in Northern France. I have touched upon both Tragedy and Comedy as they came my way. The...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[In this brief book I have lifted a very small corner of the curtain of war, to tell of my adventures — a week in the North Sea, and a breathless score of days in Northern France. I have touched upon both Tragedy and Comedy as they came my way. The tragedy is terrible enough - I have put it down plainly and unvarnished. From Tragedy to Comedy, it is but a step, along the gloomiest corridor of life one sees the flash of the cap and hears the rattle of the bells. Otherwise, it would be unbearable. And if my little bell would seem to jangle out of tune, I cannot help it. The bell was there; now and again it rang, and some of us smiled at the music of it. (Extract from the Introduction of First From The Front) At the outbreak of the First World War, Harold Ashton became War Correspondent of The Daily News and almost immediately managed to join up with a Danish Sea captain who had been commissioned to transport food supplies from Denmark to various ports in England. After this North Sea adventure, he then made his way to Northern France and accompanied various military units, both British and French as they deployed into various sectors of the war zone. His reporting focused on the 'human interest' aspect of the events that he witnessed, and he provided his readers with a unique insight into many aspects of the military buildup, as he chronicled the early stages of what was eventually to be called, The Great War. - Summary by Steve C]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>16987</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/73f7e473aedf45f94b9920dace20097b.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Early explorations in New South Wales A collection-Richard Hind Cambage, John Price</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/early-explorations-in-new-south-wales-a-collection-richard-hind-cambage-john-price--74129039</link><description><![CDATA[In this brief book I have lifted a very small corner of the curtain of war, to tell of my adventures — a week in the North Sea, and a breathless score of days in Northern France. I have touched upon both Tragedy and Comedy as they came my way. The tragedy is terrible enough - I have put it down plainly and unvarnished. From Tragedy to Comedy, it is but a step, along the gloomiest corridor of life one sees the flash of the cap and hears the rattle of the bells. Otherwise, it would be unbearable. And if my little bell would seem to jangle out of tune, I cannot help it. The bell was there; now and again it rang, and some of us smiled at the music of it. (Extract from the Introduction of First From The Front) At the outbreak of the First World War, Harold Ashton became War Correspondent of The Daily News and almost immediately managed to join up with a Danish Sea captain who had been commissioned to transport food supplies from Denmark to various ports in England. After this North Sea adventure, he then made his way to Northern France and accompanied various military units, both British and French as they deployed into various sectors of the war zone. His reporting focused on the 'human interest' aspect of the events that he witnessed, and he provided his readers with a unique insight into many aspects of the military buildup, as he chronicled the early stages of what was eventually to be called, The Great War. - Summary by Steve C]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74129039</guid><pubDate>Sun, 16 Aug 2026 15:24:41 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74129039/early_explorations_in_new_south_wales_a_collection_richard_hind_cambage_john_price.mp3" length="58378655" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Harold Ashton</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>In this brief book I have lifted a very small corner of the curtain of war, to tell of my adventures — a week in the North Sea, and a breathless score of days in Northern France. I have touched upon both Tragedy and Comedy as they came my way. The...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[In this brief book I have lifted a very small corner of the curtain of war, to tell of my adventures — a week in the North Sea, and a breathless score of days in Northern France. I have touched upon both Tragedy and Comedy as they came my way. The tragedy is terrible enough - I have put it down plainly and unvarnished. From Tragedy to Comedy, it is but a step, along the gloomiest corridor of life one sees the flash of the cap and hears the rattle of the bells. Otherwise, it would be unbearable. And if my little bell would seem to jangle out of tune, I cannot help it. The bell was there; now and again it rang, and some of us smiled at the music of it. (Extract from the Introduction of First From The Front) At the outbreak of the First World War, Harold Ashton became War Correspondent of The Daily News and almost immediately managed to join up with a Danish Sea captain who had been commissioned to transport food supplies from Denmark to various ports in England. After this North Sea adventure, he then made his way to Northern France and accompanied various military units, both British and French as they deployed into various sectors of the war zone. His reporting focused on the 'human interest' aspect of the events that he witnessed, and he provided his readers with a unique insight into many aspects of the military buildup, as he chronicled the early stages of what was eventually to be called, The Great War. - Summary by Steve C]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>7290</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/73f7e473aedf45f94b9920dace20097b.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Rough Talks by a Padre-Geoffrey Studdert Kennedy</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/rough-talks-by-a-padre-geoffrey-studdert-kennedy--73432673</link><description><![CDATA[Rough Talks by a Padre, authored by Geoffrey Studdert Kennedy, offers a poignant exploration of faith and humanity through the lens of a chaplain serving on the frontlines of war. With heartfelt reflections and powerful messages, Kennedy's work resonates with timeless themes of courage, compassion, and the search for meaning in the face of adversity. His insights into the human spirit and the struggles of those in conflict are as relevant today as they were during his time, reminding listeners of the enduring power of hope and resilience. This audiobook invites you to engage with profound thoughts that challenge and inspire, making it a vital listen for anyone seeking to understand the complexities of faith amid turmoil.]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73432673</guid><pubDate>Tue, 04 Aug 2026 10:24:30 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/73432673/rough_talks_by_a_padre_geoffrey_studdert_kennedy.mp3" length="209792521" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Harold Ashton</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Rough Talks by a Padre, authored by Geoffrey Studdert Kennedy, offers a poignant exploration of faith and humanity through the lens of a chaplain serving on the frontlines of war. With heartfelt reflections and powerful messages, Kennedy's work...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Rough Talks by a Padre, authored by Geoffrey Studdert Kennedy, offers a poignant exploration of faith and humanity through the lens of a chaplain serving on the frontlines of war. With heartfelt reflections and powerful messages, Kennedy's work resonates with timeless themes of courage, compassion, and the search for meaning in the face of adversity. His insights into the human spirit and the struggles of those in conflict are as relevant today as they were during his time, reminding listeners of the enduring power of hope and resilience. This audiobook invites you to engage with profound thoughts that challenge and inspire, making it a vital listen for anyone seeking to understand the complexities of faith amid turmoil.]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>26198</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/73f7e473aedf45f94b9920dace20097b.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>First From the Front - Harold Ashton</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/first-from-the-front-harold-ashton--72951979</link><description><![CDATA[In this brief book I have lifted a very small corner of the curtain of war, to tell of my adventures — a week in the North Sea, and a breathless score of days in Northern France. I have touched upon both Tragedy and Comedy as they came my way. The tragedy is terrible enough - I have put it down plainly and unvarnished. From Tragedy to Comedy, it is but a step, along the gloomiest corridor of life one sees the flash of the cap and hears the rattle of the bells. Otherwise, it would be unbearable. And if my little bell would seem to jangle out of tune, I cannot help it. The bell was there; now and again it rang, and some of us smiled at the music of it. (Extract from the Introduction of First From The Front) At the outbreak of the First World War, Harold Ashton became War Correspondent of The Daily News and almost immediately managed to join up with a Danish Sea captain who had been commissioned to transport food supplies from Denmark to various ports in England. After this North Sea adventure, he then made his way to Northern France and accompanied various military units, both British and French as they deployed into various sectors of the war zone. His reporting focused on the 'human interest' aspect of the events that he witnessed, and he provided his readers with a unique insight into many aspects of the military buildup, as he chronicled the early stages of what was eventually to be called, The Great War. - Summary by Steve C]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72951979</guid><pubDate>Mon, 13 Jul 2026 16:41:51 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/72951979/first_from_the_front_harold_ashton.mp3" length="140991044" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Harold Ashton</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>In this brief book I have lifted a very small corner of the curtain of war, to tell of my adventures — a week in the North Sea, and a breathless score of days in Northern France. I have touched upon both Tragedy and Comedy as they came my way. The...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[In this brief book I have lifted a very small corner of the curtain of war, to tell of my adventures — a week in the North Sea, and a breathless score of days in Northern France. I have touched upon both Tragedy and Comedy as they came my way. The tragedy is terrible enough - I have put it down plainly and unvarnished. From Tragedy to Comedy, it is but a step, along the gloomiest corridor of life one sees the flash of the cap and hears the rattle of the bells. Otherwise, it would be unbearable. And if my little bell would seem to jangle out of tune, I cannot help it. The bell was there; now and again it rang, and some of us smiled at the music of it. (Extract from the Introduction of First From The Front) At the outbreak of the First World War, Harold Ashton became War Correspondent of The Daily News and almost immediately managed to join up with a Danish Sea captain who had been commissioned to transport food supplies from Denmark to various ports in England. After this North Sea adventure, he then made his way to Northern France and accompanied various military units, both British and French as they deployed into various sectors of the war zone. His reporting focused on the 'human interest' aspect of the events that he witnessed, and he provided his readers with a unique insight into many aspects of the military buildup, as he chronicled the early stages of what was eventually to be called, The Great War. - Summary by Steve C]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>17624</itunes:duration><itunes:keywords>ashton,bell,buildup,front,gloomiest,jangle,military,northern,tragedy,war</itunes:keywords><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/73f7e473aedf45f94b9920dace20097b.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item></channel></rss>
