Captain Dennis Stanhope

Captain Dennis Stanhope is a British officer who has spent three arduous years on the front lines, an experience that has transformed him into a hardened, cynical, and heavy-drinking individual. Despite these challenges, Stanhope remains a dedicated soldier at heart. His sense of duty is exemplified when, after the fatal wounding of his young friend Lieutenant Raleigh, he immediately resumes his responsibilities as commanding officer. Stanhope's complexity is further highlighted by the juxtaposition of his rough exterior with the deep sense of responsibility he feels for his men.

Lieutenant Osborne

Lieutenant Osborne serves as Stanhope’s second in command, bringing to the role the wisdom and calm demeanor of a former schoolteacher. Middle-aged and embodying a fatherly presence, Osborne is intensely committed to maintaining harmony within the company. His character is defined by his ultimate sacrifice; he is killed during a raiding mission aimed at capturing prisoners for intelligence purposes. Osborne's death, along with several members of the raiding party, underscores the brutality of war and the personal losses borne by those who serve.

Lieutenant Raleigh

Lieutenant Raleigh is a youthful and enthusiastic officer, characterized by his admiration for Stanhope, whom he regards as a hero. This idealized perception is challenged when Raleigh encounters the harsh realities of war and the changes it has wrought in Stanhope. As a friend of Stanhope from their school days and the brother of Stanhope’s fiancée, Raleigh’s connection to Stanhope is deeply personal. His naivety and vigor quickly earn him the friendship of Osborne, yet he struggles to comprehend how his comrades can find cause for celebration after the tragic loss of Osborne and others. Raleigh’s journey is cut short when he is mortally wounded in a German assault, a poignant reminder of the young lives lost in war.

Second Lieutenant Hibbert

Second Lieutenant Hibbert is portrayed as a symbol of fear and reluctance amidst the chaos of war. As an officer in Stanhope’s company, Hibbert is identified as a malingerer and a coward, seeking a medical excuse to escape the front lines. However, Stanhope's forceful intervention ensures Hibbert remains on duty, highlighting both Stanhope’s leadership and the pressures faced by officers to maintain morale and duty under dire circumstances. Hibbert's character represents the psychological strain of warfare and the internal battles faced by those at the front.