World War I-dated ALS signed “Edward,” one page both sides, 5 x 8, May 1, 1915. Written from General Headquarters of the British Army in Saint-Omer, France, a letter to Captain R. D. James, in full (spelling and grammar retained): “Very many thanks for yr. letter & the 3 copies of the 20th Bde. calender which I am delighted to have as a souvenir of my 1st Batt. & the Bde. in general. I remember yr. showing me a proof at Laventie early in April. I will send home the other 2 copies this evening, the 1 for their Majesties & the one for Princess Mary, who I know will be delighted with them as I am. I have been home on leave for over a fortnight since I last saw, & only returned on Wed. so I have’nt yet really had a chance of coming to see you all; but I will be round at the earliest opportunity. I understand that the 2 other bdes of the 7th Div. have moved N. but that you remain where you are for the present. I hope all are well & that there have’nt been many casualties of late. Thank goodness it has’nt taken you for the desparate fighting round Ypres!! That French retirement was a bad job & no mistake, & it will be a hard job to drive the Germans back if we ever do!! Again very many thanks for sending the calenders.” In fine condition, with a thin blue stain across the extreme top edge.
Accompanied by a typewritten manuscript signed by James explaining the provenance of Edward’s letter. The statement, headed “Private & Confidential,” explains that “After the opening of the campaign in 1914 we (the XXth (Guards) (Brigade) sat down in a line of trenches near Armentieres, the Prince’s Battalion, the 1st Grenadier Guards, being part of the Brigade. Soon after the Prince’s arrival in France, when he was still a Lieutenant, he commenced to visit the Battalion in billets whenever he had the chance, and we, on the Staff, got to know him intimately. At this time I was Brigade Signalling Officer, and…it was my duty to prepare Maps, Trench Diagrams, etc. During his visits the Prince evinced much interest in these things, and on one occasion (at Laventie) he saw a draft of a Trench Souvenir which I had prepared for Xmas 1914. He suggested that it was so good that it should be published, as his ‘Father and Mother’…would like to have copies. Acting upon this suggestion I had 200 copies of the Souvenir printed, each copy being numbered, and the Plates afterwards destroyed. Copies were accepted by Their Majesties, Lord Kitchener, and other notable persons…In response to the copies…I received the [above] letter…It was the owner’s intention to donate it to the Imperial Service Museum, but heavy financial losses…have rendered it absolutely necessary that everything of value should be realised at once…It is only with the very greatest reluctance that the Letter is offered for sale.”
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