oak Posted 18 January , 2005 Share Posted 18 January , 2005 Colleagues, Yesterday I purchased "Charles (Lieut.-Colonel C.H. Blackburne D.S.O., 5th Dragoon Guards) A Memoir by his brother Lionel E. Blackburne" The book is undated. Foreword by Field-Marshal Viscount French, Viceregal Lodge, Dublin, 15th September 1919. The book tells the story of Blackburne's childhood in England, education, adventures in Canada, service in the Boer War and WW1, wounding on the Western Front, posting to staff work in Dublin and death - with two of his children - on the R.M.S. Leinster on 10 October 1918. I have mentioned Blackburne in my book about the R.M.S. Leinster, due for publication at the end of February. But it is a pity that I didn't have this book prior to going to publication. I would be very grateful if anyone could tell me if the issue of such tribute/memorial books was common practice. The publishers are H.R. Allenson, Ltd, 7 Racquet Court, 114 Fleet St., London E.C. I would also be grateful if --by some faint chance-- anyone could tell me if this was a publisher or a printer? (Or was that the same thing in those days, with publishers sometimes printing special editions for families?) Is there anywhere I can find out how many copies of the book were printed? Regards, Philip Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MartinWills Posted 18 January , 2005 Share Posted 18 January , 2005 A London directory for the relevant period should help identify details of the printer/publisher. Memorial volumes (to men as well as officers) are not uncommon, but were generally produced in short runs, though there are exceptions. I used to wonder at the expense involved but then it dawned upon me that the family had been spared the expense of a funeral - and funerals were quite elaborate before the great war. Edward Wyndham Tennant's memorial volume ran to several editions and is not difficult to find. "John Hugh Allan of the gallant company" is another that appears regularly. The rugby international Ronald Poulton-Palmer is commemorated in a fine volume by his father. Some others are real masterpieces of vanity publishing with vellum binding and printed on hand made paper and are are scarce as hens teeth. Some are fine and informative reading; others are paens of praise but add little knowledge. Martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oak Posted 21 January , 2005 Author Share Posted 21 January , 2005 Many thanks Martin, Regards, Philip Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Morgan Posted 21 January , 2005 Share Posted 21 January , 2005 Philip, I know of one similar book. I have "Brigadier-General R. B. Bradford, VC, MC, and his Brothers" which was produced, according to the title-page, "for private circulation only and has been written for relatives and friends." It was re-published about 10 years ago by Ray Westlake in a facsimile limited edition with the permission of the family. Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oak Posted 27 January , 2005 Author Share Posted 27 January , 2005 Thanks Tom, Regards, Philip Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J T Gray Posted 1 February , 2005 Share Posted 1 February , 2005 I have one as well - perhaps more interesting by way of it's author? It's "Francis & Riversdale Grenfell" by John Buchan - yes, he of "Thirty-nine Steps" fame! Amazon has several, to my surprise, at £20 plus (mine - a few pence, though it is somewhat battered), and a brief biography of the twins can be found at: http://grenfell.history.users.btopenworld....us_grenfell.htm One wonders whether anyone more distinguished wrote one of these? Adrian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Filsell Posted 1 February , 2005 Share Posted 1 February , 2005 These volumes are much more important than generally credited and rather more common than you might think. I have collected about eight or so ( including one from WW2). One volume was printed and published by W H Smith, the majority are by small 'jobbing printers'. Some are of very high quality. They seem to have been given to friends, relatives, and family members. Bob Wyatt was attempting to compile a bibliography but does not seem to have completed it. I know that he has a considerable number of these books. Since the majority were privately written and published I don't think that the Grenfell book by Buchan was a true private memorial volume since it was published by Thos Nelson, an established publisher, and copies are too commonly available. The normal format seems to be all/some of the following: juvenilia, poems (rarely good) letters home, and appreciations from friends, school masters and fellow officers. They can be a very valuable research and writing tool, offering unusual insights into actions and events previously unused. Would it me an idea Mr Moderator and fellow pilgrims to attempt to build a bibliography on Forum.? Suggested format, Title, Author, Publisher, date, name of the subject memorialised, regiment/battalion/corps, dates of service, place of service. Regards David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kate Wills Posted 1 February , 2005 Share Posted 1 February , 2005 That sounds like an excellent idea David. They are of particular value where no unit history exists. We tipped-off Bob Wyatt about a couple of titles he did not have, and thought a comprehensive list of some kind might be forthcoming. Why not do it here, where it can be edited and updated as new information arrives? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HarryBettsMCDCM Posted 1 February , 2005 Share Posted 1 February , 2005 I have a few of these Tomes: Edward Wyndham Tennant: 4th Gren;Guards;a Memoir By His Mother,Published by John Lane The Bodley Head,MCMXIX[1919]2nd Impression. & A Young Borderer:A Memoir Of Alexander Dobre'e Young~Herries {A Captain The King's Own Scottish Borderers}. by David Frew D.D,A Minister Of Urr;Published By William Blackwood & Sons Ltd;MCMXXVIII[1928]Originally Sold On behalf Of The King's Own Scottish Borderers Orphans & Widows Fund & War Bird: Diary Of an Unknown Aviator{The Writings of an American in the RFC}Edited by Elliot White Springs,1927. Pub.John Hamilton. Im not sure if this one Qualifies,the Diary was Given to White Springs by the Flier,Who was Subsequently KiA,He Chose not to identify the Airman @ that Time,Presumably He May be Known Today? & A Student In Arms: Donald Hankey,1917{1st 1916}Melrose Pub. Served 1st Royal Warwickshire Regt KiA October 12 1916 Somme. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobpike Posted 1 February , 2005 Share Posted 1 February , 2005 I have quite a large list, but these are a few in the latest Turner Donovan Military Books Catalogue 1. James Lusk BA (Cantab) : Chevalier de la Legion d’Honneur; Capt. & Adjt. 6th. Battalion The Cameronians. Letters & Memoirs. 2. In Loving Memory of Lionel Hedley Edbrooke. 3. Arthur Innes Adam 1894-1916: A Record Founded on His Letters. 4. Harold Tennyson RN, The Story of a Young Sailor Put Together by a Friend. 5. Edward Wyndham Tennant : A Memoir. 6. Edward : Selections from the Letters of Edward Francis Malins, late 2Lt., SWB, edited with a Memoir by his father. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Filsell Posted 3 February , 2005 Share Posted 3 February , 2005 Thanks to those who have added to list. But can you add outline service detail per my original mailing - I think it would be most helpful. I don't think either the aviation book or Muse in arms really qualify. My take is that these were professional publications - but I stand to be corrected. Will add my list shortly regards David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HarryBettsMCDCM Posted 30 March , 2005 Share Posted 30 March , 2005 just this afternoon ,in Oxfam in Huntingdon,I found the Following ancient Paperback,@ £1.99......... "Roland Phillips Boy Scout" which as well as his involvement with the embryonic Scout Movement in Stepney & London's East & North East Ends,was a Captain in the 9th Bn,The Royal Fusiliers,KiA on July 7th 1916,There is also a Memorial appreciation Of Captain The Hon,Roland Erasmus Phillips in this Book by Mr William Black,DSM of Hackney{who was also KiA in 1917},written by him very shortly after Phillips' death,Ive not read it yet,as I only found it today,a most unassuming book,it just called out to me from the Book shelves! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles Fair Posted 30 March , 2005 Share Posted 30 March , 2005 The normal format seems to be all/some of the following: juvenilia, poems (rarely good) letters home, and appreciations from friends, school masters and fellow officers. They can be a very valuable research and writing tool, offering unusual insights into actions and events previously unused. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> My great grandmother published one about my great uncle in exactly this format, with the addition of appreciations from soldiers. RHS - Reginald Herbert Secretan 2/Lt The Hertfordshire Regiment Apart from a couple of copies owned by my family the only other one that i have seen is in the IWM. I dont have a copy to hand, but i dont think there is a date, and the publisher may have been given as Richardson (my gtgmothers maiden name). enlisted c. 9/11/14. France w. 1st Army Signals 31/12/14 to c. Aug 1916. 9 or 10 OCB Gailes, Ayrshire until commissioned c 16/12/16. 2/1 Herts, Halton Park Camp until end of 01/17 1/1 Herts, 118 Bde, 39 Div until kia at St Julien 31/07/17 commemorated Menin Gate details in the book enabled me to pin down where he died and how to within about 50 yards Charles Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlesmessenger Posted 31 March , 2005 Share Posted 31 March , 2005 David I seem to have overlooked this thread, but another for your list is: Anonymous, but RBE (who was probably an older brother) wrote the introduction The War Letters of Leonard and Walter Ewbank 1915-1917 Butler & Tanner, Frome and London No date, but probably 1921 Leonard Ewbank born 16/2/93, St Bees and Oxford Univ OTCs, 2Lt 5th Border 12/3/15 joining the bn in France in 7/15, KIA Sanctuary Wood 23/2/16 Walter Ewbank born 18/5/96, 3/14 to RMC Sandhurst, commissioned Border Regt, joined 2nd Border in France 25/1/15, wounded at Neuve Chapelle 13/3/15, 23/9/15 sailed for Dardanelles and joined 1st Border on Gallipoli, 1/16 to Egypt, 3/16 with 1st Border to France, 12/3/17 awarded MC, awarded Croix de Guerre avec Palme for actions during 22-23/4/17, awarded bar to MC 26/9/17 for action NW of Langemarck, KIA Marcoing 30/11/17 while attached as a staff learner to HQ 87 Bde. Charles M Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muerrisch Posted 31 March , 2005 Share Posted 31 March , 2005 Remembrance Wakes by Ethel ME Richardson, London, Heath Cranton, 1934, 8o, Twenty One years same author, published ? Memoirs of Captain Mervyn Stronge Richardson RWF MiD, KIA 1916 with 1RWF and a very early member of 2RWF before that. Has the merit of being written by his mother, an accomplished writer. Copy of the first book at Cambs Uni Library, from which I have taken a substantial set of notes. Never seen the latter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Robertson Posted 27 May , 2006 Share Posted 27 May , 2006 I have one as well - perhaps more interesting by way of it's author? It's "Francis & Riversdale Grenfell" by John Buchan - yes, he of "Thirty-nine Steps" fame! I'm surprised to find that Buchan's tribute to 6 of his friends who fell in the Great War hasn't been mentioned. "These for Remembrance" was privately published by Buchan in 1919 with only a handful of copies being produced, presumably for himself and the families of his deceased friends. Thankfully, a general edition was printed in recent years and it is highly recommended reading. The 6 friends who feature are: Thomas Nelson, (of publishing fame), Lothian & Border Horse, kia 9/4/17 at Arras. Bron Lucas, RFC, kia 10/11/16 Cecil Rawling, Somerset L.I, kia 23/10/17 Lord Basil Temple Blackwood, Grenadier Guards, kia 3/7/17 John Stuart-Wortley, South Staffs, kia 21/3/18 Raymond Asquith, Grenadier Guards, kia 15/9/16 I thoroughly recommend this book. ISBN 0-907675-80-8 John Buchan's brother, Alastair, died on the same day as Tommy Nelson at Arras. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barkalotloudly Posted 28 May , 2006 Share Posted 28 May , 2006 i would suggest it will be almost impossible to compile a list of such titles due to the extreme scarcity of most, i have manage to collect 30/40 memorial volumes, their quality varies considerably, the most interesting containing details of thier service life, letters from the front,etc One well known book dealer has been collecting such volumes for a number of years and has a very impressive collection but still comes across titles unknown to him. regards John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stiletto_33853 Posted 29 May , 2006 Share Posted 29 May , 2006 Also have quite a few of these memorial books which I have found invaluable in tracing a Battalions movements etc. They are quite moving at times and a valuable resource. One I placed on the Forum being "Letters To His Wife" by Robert Ernest Vernede which can be found in the Document Repository under reference books. With my Regimental interests they are all to Rifle Brigade men, some of which are quite rare now. As John suggests in the previous post the scarcity of a lot of these books, a lot being produced in very short runs, solely for family and close friends could preclude one from producing a complete list. Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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