During Napoleonic times there was great concern that the French could invade England through Cornwall's undefended coasts, rivers and harbours.

Due to this apprehension many areas assembled volunteer artillery companies to guard and protect their immediate environment.

One of these was the East and West Looe Volunteer Artillery which existed between 1803 and 1809.

In all that time, the company which numbered up to 70
members, did not lose a single member and became
known as the Looe Die-Hards.

The volume contains Q's short comedies about the
company whose second in command was Q's
grandfather, the renowned Cornish naturalist, Dr.
Jonathan Couch.