Step back in time with Melksham man’s new book

A FORMER George Ward student has self-published a book about the British Army in the Napoleonic wars.

‘A Killing a Day’ by local man Chris Chilcott uses his own research that was previously used by the Royal Logistic Corps to brief officers in preparation for the Battle of Waterloo bicentenary celebrations in 2015. And rumour has it that even the Princess Royal is a fan of Chris’ work!

Speaking to Melksham News, Chris said, “Several years ago while researching a PhD at Bath Spa University I wanted to find out how soldiers experienced life in the British army during the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars (1793 to 1815). 

“What I found was that they all spent a lot of time hungry! Some soldiers had to kill enemies just so they could loot what they needed to get by, hence the title. 

“The great thing about self-publishing is that you can do your own thing so I’ve gone for a larger font than usual, that should make it easier to read and I was able to tell the stories of the wives and children of soldiers who followed the army. 

“The real highlight for me is the final chapter, which shows how the people of Wiltshire would have been on the frontline in the fight against a French invasion!

“The British Army has previously used some of the research to brief officers for Battle of Waterloo commemorations, and rumour has it that an early version resides in the library of the Princess Royal, so it can’t be all that bad! 

“Lockdown allowed me to get the book prepared for publication and hopefully give people a chance to learn about this exciting period of history.”

The book’s synopsis says, “In the British army of the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars, soldiers of many ranks were hungry, dressed in tattered uniforms and slept in the open. This is a contrast with the image of the effective, victorious force that had driven the French from Spain and fought so hard at Waterloo. 

“The army struggled to provide not only food and uniform but also chaplains, medical services and education. This was a failing, not just for soldiers but also the wives and families who followed them. This had implications for strategy and heavily influenced planning to oppose a French invasion. 

“How to maintain the army was a vital question for early nineteenth century Britain. The answer was defined by events that occurred 200 years earlier and have continued into the present day. ‘A Killing a Day’ is the story of how Britain tried and failed to meet the needs of its soldiers.”

‘A Killing a Day’ is available online via Amazon.