The epilogue of The Masks of War transports readers ten years after the war, to a summer afternoon in South London. Percy has adapted to life as a wounded veteran, raising his children and honoring the memory of his fallen comrades.
This reflection highlights the long-term impact of war: grief, survivor’s guilt, and the effort to create meaning from loss. Percy’s visits to his local pub, the Jolly Sailor, his dedication to commemorating the men of the Bermondsey Battalion, and the ongoing bonds with his children and community show that recovery is not linear—but that life can still be rich, purposeful, and full of love.
In these closing passages, the novel offers a meditation on remembrance and resilience: even in the face of permanent injury and tragedy, the ties we build with family, friends, and comrades endure. The Masks of War is ultimately a story about the human capacity to survive, adapt, and honor those we’ve lost.