Journey's End

“Journey's End” (1928), by English playwright Robert Cedric (R.C.) Sherriff, follows a group of British army troops in the days leading to Operation Michael, which was the last offensive operation from Germany that would mark the beginning of the end of WWI. Performed for more than two years in London, the play was one of the most popular productions of the 1920s. The work is based off of his own experience in the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) during WWI.

The three-act play has themes of courage, innocence, human vanity, and mortality. The captain of this company and the protagonist of the play is named Dennis Stanhope.

The first scene shows Captain Hardy drying a damp sock with a candle flame. He talks with the older and world-weary Lieutenant Osborne, a former school teacher, about the war effort and life in the trenches. Osborne will relieve Hardy of his command for a few days. Hardy warns him that Captain Stanhope has taken to drinking to soothe his angst about the war. Osborne defends Stanhope’s reputation, saying he’s still one of the best men they have enlisted.



Second Lieutenant Raleigh, a wide-eyed young man, joins the company after requesting to be stationed near Captain Stanhope. Stanhope (whom he calls by the familiar name Dennis) is dating his sister Madge. He figures that Stanhope will be happy to see a familiar face; instead, he’s enraged that Raleigh would intrude on his life. But the real reason for his objection is that he fears Raleigh will write to his sister that her fiancé is becoming an alcoholic. Raleigh can’t believe what the last three years of military service have done to the previously kind and light-hearted Stanhope.

Stanhope asks if Osborne will monitor Raleigh’s letters for any bad words said about him. Osborne, who everyone calls “Uncle,” refuses. When Stanhope responds by getting very drunk, Osborne helps him get into bed and sleep it off. Everyone knows that Stanhope should take the vacation time (like Captain Hardy) and recover a bit, but Stanhope insists it’s his duty to remain near the front line.

In act two, Raleigh learns more about the reality of trench life. Time moves agonizingly slow. Raleigh talks with Osborne about the “silly” war. For the most part, everyone knows when an attack will occur, and each side will issue temporary cease-fires for the other side to collect their wounded or dead.



Stanhope tells the company that a German captive told them that a major operation was going to occur in a couple days; he commands several troops, including Trotter and Second Lieutenant Hibbert, to ensure that the barbed-wire fences are appropriately mended.

Osborne finally lets the paranoid Stanhope intercept Raleigh’s letter to Madge. Stanhope reads that Raleigh only has good things to say. He feels ashamed of himself.

In talking with the Sergeant-Major, Stanhope confirms that an attack is planned for that Thursday. But their General has ordered a surprise attack in broad daylight. This is highly unusual as they need the cover of darkness to decrease the number of men who die. Stanhope and the Sergeant-Major agree that the plan is foolish, callous, and probably issued just so that the General can have a hearty dinner.



Osborne and Raleigh are assigned to lead the raid. Their mission is to capture some Germans to confirm the time and date of the Thursday affront. The highly naïve Raleigh is actually excited to be picked to lead a raid. Osborne feels that this will be how he meets death.

Act three opens with Osborne asking Stanhope to send all of his materials to his wife. The two reminisce about life in England. Raleigh survives the mission, but Osborne does not. The raid successfully captures a German. When the higher commands ask Stanhope how the raid went, it’s clear that they don’t care if men died but if they captured a German who they can milk for information.

Stanhope responds to Osborne’s death with increasingly erratic behavior. He yells at Hibbert for no reason and argues with Raleigh over his preference at eating with private troops rather than with other officers. Raleigh says he prefers eating with troops who don’t drink themselves silly as if in celebration. Stanhope takes great offense at this, as it implies that he isn’t mourning the death of Osborne. He yells at Raleigh to leave him alone and goes off by himself to drink.



In the final scene, the British prepare for Germany’s last major assault as part of Operation Michael. The Sergeant Major and Stanhope prepare for major losses. Hibbert, who has tried to fake an eye injury and is considered a coward by Stanhope, tries to remain in bed.

The attack happens. Soon after, Stanhope receives a message that Raleigh’s spine has been broken and he’s effectively paralyzed. His body is brought back to Stanhope. Stanhope tends to him in his final moments. Raleigh says he feels very cold, so Stanhope briefly leaves him to retrieve more blankets. When he returns, Raleigh has stopped breathing.

Before Stanhope can grieve, he’s summoned to fight at the front. He leaves the dugout, and the play concludes with a bomb hitting the dugout and burying Raleigh’s body. It’s unclear if Stanhope comes out alive.