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WEST (Arthur Graeme)
The Diary of a Dead Officer: Being the Posthumous Papers of Arthur Graeme West.
Intro. by C.E.M. Joad. 2nd Ed., xiv+96pp. Allen & Unwin. [1918].
#63061
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In his lengthy, largely biographical, Intro., Joad explains that at Blundell's School at Tiverton (where West was ed. after a brief spell at Highgate) the latter was known as a "Worm" - the "universal designation [at Blundell's] for anyone who regarded books as something other than work." He was unathletic & his public school days unhappy, but he was much happier at Balliol. Initially he was turned down for a commission & enlisted in the Public Schools Bn., Royal Fusiliers, spent four months in the ranks in France, Nov. 1915-March 1916, then came back for officer training. Commissioned in 6th Bn. Ox. & Bucks, he returned to France in Sept. 1916, attained the rank of Captain & was shot by a sniper on 3rd April 1917. The book contains extracts from his "frank" diary throughout his service, describing his experiences & surroundings as well as his embracing pacifism, while remaining at the same time a dutiful and conscientious soldier. The final part consists of poems, some with war themes. Decorated paper covd. boards, gilt to spine and front, VG & scarce. Note: the 1st impression, identical but for the imprint on tp, was published by The Herald in the same year as this. Both are scarce. See illustration on our website.
£145
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