Private Learoyd’s Story by Rudyard Kipling

Told in Learoyd’s thick dialect, this is a heartfelt tale of love and tragedy in Yorkshire before he joined the army. Learoyd recounts how his sweetheart was driven to despair by family pressures, leading to a sorrowful end. The plot contrasts rustic simplicity with deep emotional weight. Through his narrative, Learoyd becomes more than a soldier—he’s a man shaped by grief. A poignant, moving story of rural love lost.