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The Happy Hero. A Letter Written Before Battle to his Parents by Eric Lever Townsend (2nd Lt., 15th London Regt.). With an Appreciation by James Douglas.
1st Ed., 32pp., 192x125mm, portrait frontis. (line drawing from a photograph by Elliott & Fry). Nisbet & Co. nd [c.1916].
#69309
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![[HLMainPic]](booksThumbs/69309.jpg "Click on the left or right of the image for more images")
Eric Lever Townsend was born in 1896 and Ed. at City of London School, where he was a member of the O.T.C. He obtained a commission in the 15th London Regiment (Civil Service Rifles) in June 1915, went to France in May 1916, and was mortally wounded in the attack on High Wood on 15th September, leading his platoon in the first wave. He Died of Wounds on 17th September and is buried in Dartmoor Cemetery, Becordel-Becourt. He was twenty years old when he fell. This memorial consists of a short memoir followed by the text of a letter he wrote to his mother and father on 8th September 1916, before going into action on the Somme, to be opened only in the event of his death. This moving letter offers the sentiments of a typical young officer, comparing the possibilities of civilian life to the glories of death in a righteous cause: "...we shall live forever in the results of our efforts. We shall live as those who by their sacrifice won the Great War. Our spirits and our memories shall endure in the proud position Britain shall hold in the future. The measure of life is not its span but the use made of it. I did not make much use of my life before the war, but I think I have done so now..." This is followed by the Appreciation by James Douglas, including comments on the spirit of the aforequoted letter. Brown card wraps., decorative design & title to front, text retained by cord ties. Covers chipped, little marked, VG.
£120
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