In this volume Bowen describes his parents, childhood, early and secondary education at the Sloane School, Chelsea, during 1922-33, and early artistic influences which inspired him. He discusses employment with a firm of chartered accountants after leaving school, evening classes at Chelsea School of Art, and tuition by Austin Spare between 1933 and 1939. The memoir narrates Bowen’s military training and service during the Second World War, including the Battle of Arras and evacuation at Dunkirk, and his commissioning into the Royal Engineers and passage to India in 1943. Bowen describes his service at Lahore between 1943 and 1946, friendships, travels and drawing in India, and the final period of duty at Delhi during 1946-47. The volume concludes with Bowen’s return to England, studies at The Byam Shaw School during 1947-51, and work at Whitefriars Stained Glass Studios between 1951 and 1953.