# VII explained — Memoirs of an Infantry Officer

> Chapter companion for Memoirs of an Infantry Officer by Siegfried Sassoon.

## What happens

Sherston faces a Medical Board in Edinburgh, where he is diagnosed with shell-shock and sent to Slateford War Hospital. Before this, he endures a tense period in Liverpool, refusing to attend a Special Medical Board and contemplating his protest against the war. His friend David Cromlech arrives to support him, and Sherston is ultimately escorted to the hospital, concluding the volume.

## Themes in this chapter

### Disillusionment with Authority

Sherston's interactions with the Medical Board and the Colonel highlight his growing distrust of military and medical authorities who fail to understand his moral stance.

### Anti-War Protest and Conscience

Sherston's refusal to attend the Medical Board and his symbolic rejection of the M.C. ribbon underscore his conscientious objection to the war.

### Psychological Strain and Survival

Sherston's mental turmoil, insomnia, and the diagnosis of shell-shock illustrate the psychological toll of his protest and the war itself.

## Character check-ins

### David Cromlech

Accompanies Sherston to the Medical Board and later arrives in Liverpool to provide support, showing his loyalty and concern.

### The Colonel

Presides over the Medical Board and later visits Sherston in Liverpool, attempting to persuade him to abandon his protest.

### The Doctor

A civilian neurologist on the Medical Board who signals sympathetic understanding and recommends Slateford Hospital.

### Aunt Evelyn

Mentioned in Sherston's memory of her urging him to bring his 'golf sticks' to Formby.

## Key lines

> The Medical Board consisted of a Colonel, a Major, and a Captain. The Captain was a civilian in uniform, and a professional neurologist.

The board was composed of a Colonel, a Major, and a Captain, with the Captain being a civilian neurologist in uniform.

_Sherston notes the composition of the Medical Board, highlighting the mix of military and medical expertise._

> I ripped the M.C. ribbon off my tunic and threw it into the mouth of the Mersey.

He tore the Military Cross ribbon from his uniform and tossed it into the Mersey River.

_This act symbolizes Sherston's rejection of military honors and his protest against the war._

> I was learning by heart as many poems as possible, my idea being that they would be a help to me in prison, where, I imagined, no books would be allowed.

He memorized poems from Palgrave's Golden Treasury, anticipating that he might be imprisoned without access to books.

_Sherston prepares for the possibility of imprisonment due to his protest, showing his resolve._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/memoirs_of_an_infantry_officer_se/chapters/vii
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- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/memoirs_of_an_infantry_officer_se/chapters