The album takes the form of a song cycle inspired by the experiences of Johnson's grandfathers during the First World War, and was released as part of the Vredesconcerten Passendale (Paschendale Peace Concerts) series.

Johnson based the songs on the album around the experiences of his two grandfathers at the Ypres Salient in 1917 and used official histories and family memories in his research.

His maternal grandfather, Henry Robert Jenner, enlisted despite being underage and served with the Post Office Rifles.

Folk music magazine The Living Tradition described the songs as "emotive, thought provoking and carry[ing] great depth and weight.

[5] In 2000 Johnson performed the songs from the album at a Remembrance Day concert in Worcester with a band which included Russell Churney.