This autobiography presents the memoirs of a soldier of Wellington's army called Sergeant William Lawrence. He served during Wellington's Peninsular campaigns, ultimately leading to the Waterloo battle. William Lawrence talks about his early life and the hardships that resulted in his joining. Lawrence does not focus only on the action he partook in but on the logistics. The book runs smoothly from one scenario to another and makes for a quick and delightful read.

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Sergeant William Lawrence's account of his life is an interesting addition to the memoirs of the Napoleonic period, not for the style and grace of the prose, as Lawrence was not a highly educated man, although highly observant. What is often missing from other memoirs of the period is that mostly, they are written by the officers, and with some notable exceptions do not give a feel for the way of life for the ranker and the N.C.O.. This autobiography goes some way to fill the gap in the record. Such instances as rations, the occasional pig of dubious provenance, “cyder”, footsore marches lacking boots, and floggings are juxtaposed with the battles and skirmishes. Lawrence served in the 40th regiment of foot, in both the Peninsular war and the Waterloo campaign, ascending from private to Sergeant. Describing the storming of Badajoz, the battles of Vittoria and Waterloo in his turn he was rightly proud of his achievements and the Waterloo medal he wore, he died in his native Dorset in 1867 leaving a descendant to publish this book. Text taken from 1886 edition, full and complete, includes 10 additional maps to illuminate the text. 1 – The Battle of Vimiero, 21st August 1808 2- Explanatory Sketch of the Campaign in Portugal August 1808 3- Battle of Talavera, 28th July 1809 4 – Operations on the Mondego and the Battle of Busaco 5 – The Lines of Torres Vedras 6 – Battle of Albuera, 16th May 1811 7 – The Siege of Badajoz – 1812 – Vol. IV 8 – Battle of Vittoria and Operations leading up to it. – Vol. V 9 – Battle of Orthez and Soult’s retreat to Aire. – Vol. VI 10- Map of the Battle of Waterloo, 18th June 1815. Author – William Lawrence [1791-1867]

"I was so weak myself that I could scarcely walk, so I crawled on my hands and knees till I got out of the reach of the enemy's musketry. After proceeding for some way I fell in with Lord Wellington and his staff, who seeing me wounded, asked me which regiment I belonged to. I told them the Fortieth, and that I hads been one of the forlorn hope." The military memoirs of one who enlisted in the 40th Foot (later 1st Bn South Lancs) in 1804 and was eventually discharged in 1821. He served in South America against the Spaniards, in Ireland, the Peninsula, the West Indies and in the Waterloo campaign, after which he married a French girl. A vivid account of life in the British Army in peace and war at the beginning of the 19th century. His experiences included being sentenced to 400 lashes for being absent without leave, and receiving 175 of them. After discharge he became landlord of a pub in Studland, Dorset. Sergeant Lawrence's fascinating memoir is one of the most important sources of information on life in the ranks during the Napoleonic Wars.