Canada in war-paint

"Canada in War-Paint" by Capt. Ralph W. Bell is a series of short stories that show what life was like for soldiers in World War I. It's not just about battles; it's about the everyday moments and feelings of the soldiers. The book starts with the Canadian troops arriving at Salisbury Plains and their initial happiness that soon fades as endless rain turns everything into mud. The soldiers, called "mud-larks," deal with terrible weather while learning how to be soldiers. Even though things are tough, they keep their spirits up by singing and making music. The author mixes humor and the difficulties of war, showing the soldiers as real people who find strength in each other and keep going.