The Dispatch-Riders: The Adventures of Two British Motor-cyclists in the Great War

"The Dispatch-Riders: The Adventures of Two British Motor-cyclists in the Great War" by Percy F. Westerman is a rousing story of adventure set during World War I. The book plunges into the lives of Kenneth Everest and Rollo Barrington, two energetic British teens who find themselves in France and Belgium at the very start of the war. What begins as a carefree motorcycle trip quickly turns into something much more serious, and the boys soon find themselves caught up in military actions. Their bravery and quick thinking are tested as they navigate the dangers of war. Starting their trip in Dinant, Belgium, the two hear news of the Belgian army getting ready for war. As they try to reach Kenneth's sister in Liège, they start to understand how serious things have become through conversations with military officers. Ignoring the warnings, they push on to Liège, making the choice to get involved in the war. They become message carriers, also known as dispatch-riders, for the Belgian army. The beginning of the book blends the excitement of youth with the harsh reality of war, setting the stage for a great story of courage and heroism.