Includes a list of members of the first platoon, a map of trenches on Montreal Road, a supplement to the London Gazette, Army Intelligence summaries, duties of Platoon Commanders, instructions in musketry, miniature rifle, and bayonet fighting , press cuttings following the progress of the War through reports, maps and photographs. It also gives a fascinating insight into what the training officers' underwent before they could be selected for the field including an examination paper in Military engineering dated January 6th 1914, accompanied by J. Hirst's answer sheet. Whilst orders such as how to behave in the Officers Mess and Barrack Room instructions.

Captain Hirst's service in the Army is recorded via letters and telegrams including those sent to his parents after he was wounded and captured by the Germans in April 1918. When released from captivity the same year, King George welcomed him home in a letter also enclosed in the volume.