William Surtees was born on August 4, 1781, in the village of Corbridge, Northumberland, to middle-class parents. His father was a tradesman, and like many in their social class, his education was basic, consisting primarily of reading, writing, and arithmetic. At the age of seventeen, in November 1798, Surtees enlisted in the British Army with the Rifle Brigade. He joined with the determination that, should he not find soldiering to his liking, he would leave the military. However, over the course of his twenty-five years in service, Surtees not only adapted to military life but also came to embrace it, eventually rising through the ranks and gaining valuable firsthand experience in numerous campaigns. His memoir, Twenty-Five Years in the Rifle Brigade, offers a detailed account of his military career, shedding light on the hardships, battles, and camaraderie of life as a soldier. Surtees' narrative also highlights the discipline, humor, and personal growth he experienced during his service, providing a rich historical perspective on the life of a British soldier during the late 18th and early 19th centuries.
