The famous neurologist W. H. R. Rivers is a major character in the book (and had a profound influence on Sassoon in real life).

Sherston is sent to an army base in Ireland (where he is introduced to 'The Mister', an alcoholic fox-hunting enthusiast), then to Palestine, and finally to the Western Front in France.

There, as captain of a company, he describes his fellow officers and his men, his state of mind and his admiration for his servant (Bond).

On their way back, he is shot in the head by (Sergeant Wickham) of his own company, an experienced soldier who is unaware that the two were still in no-man's-land, and mistakes him for a German.

The wound is not serious and he is initially reluctant to be sent to recover in London, where Rivers visits him in hospital:Without a word he sat down by the bed; and his smile was benediction enough for all I'd been through.