For Love and Courage

[susan kitchen]

The above book is about Lt Colonel E.W Hermon. He died 9th April 1917 on the first day of the Battle of Arras, leading his men of the 24th Bn Northumberland Fusilliers. He was shot through the heart . The bullet went through papers and a four leaf clover his wife had given him. His last words to his Adjutant were "Go on". He then sank to his knees and died. That would have been the end of the story but he left a testament to his life in the form of letters he sent to his wife and their children, he called "the Chugs". He was mentioned in dispatches three times and posthumously awarded the DSO. The Letters Give a unique insight into his fighting life. Richard Holmes has said of the book

" This is easily one of the best First World War books i have read, and paints a poignant picture of a vanished age". You can't go wrong with Richard Holmes.

The letters have been transcribed by Anne Nason who is Hermon's Grandaughter.

It's a HB £20 ISBN 9781848090392.

Susan.

[Michelle Young]

Reading this at the moment; very interesting and absorbing. However it is slightly uncomfortable at times, almost as if the reader is intruding as Hermon was obviously so happily married and deeply in love with his wife and adored his children.

Michelle