Letters To His Wife, War Poems and Other Verses — Robert Ernest Vernède

Robert Ernest Vernède served in the 12th Battalion Rifle Brigade In this publication I have combined two of Ernest’s books, ‘Letters To His Wife’ that was published in 1917 and covers his life in the First World War, and ‘Poems and Other Verses’ that were written during the war were published in 1920. Ernest was a popular author who published his first novel, ‘The Pursuit of Mr Faviel’, in 1905. Ernest was keen to play his part in the war but due to his age he had been turned down several times. Eventually he was able to enlist in the Public School Battalion, Royal Fusiliers, and whilst training was sent for officer training. In November 1915 Ernest left for France and he served in northern France, the Ypres Salient, the Somme and was killed on the opening day of the Battle of Arras. His wonderfully individually styled letters, coupled with his poems, makes a terrific read. In Part II there are cameos on twenty-eight personalities plus notes on events mentioned in his letters coupled with information on his novels. 232 pages