(Post incl)(W W II) LIBYAN WINTER Poems of a Springbok . Anon (BUT read the details given)

LlBYAN WINTER 

 Poems by a corporal in the First Division

Pub: Central News Agency, South Africa.

Second Impression: Sept 1943 (First impression was July 1943)

Cost was Three Shillings

Hard Cover, 205 x 130mm wide, 23 pgs.

As the title suggests the book consists of poems written by a South African soldier while serving in North Africa during WWII. A number of the poems have a place and a date associated with it,e.g. CRUSADE - Libya. December 1941.  or  DUNES Egypt. September 1941.

The printed book does not give an authors name but on searching I found that the author is Norman Clothier who served in East and North Africa and in Italy. See http://samilitaryhistory.org/82/82sepnl.html

On the inside of the cover there is an inscription (See Photo above):

V.J. Middlemik (the name is not clear and I'm assuming the letters) with subsequent compliments from a former fellow. Jock, (then a signature - the surname of the signature looks like Clothier but I cannot be certain- the first name is nowhere near Norman but it could be Jock, if this was Clothier's nick-name)   Somebody else has then written Norman Clothier Died 1991.

On the inside of the back end page is an inscribed poem; Alamein Re-visited  The same pen has been used as that which was used for the first inscription. The poem has the same signature. See photo below.

The book has some heavy foxing as can be seen from the photos. Page ends have what could be insect damage, but slight and does not detract. The binding is still good, no loose pages but needs to be handled gently. There is a split between pages 16 and 17. The cloth cover, which should be a light blue is faded, soiled and worn. Overall still a very readable book, providing a fascinating insight into a soldier's life during the War, topped up by the signature, the poignant written poem at the back and the background of the anonymous author of this delightful book.  

Post incl in winning bid P.O. to P.O. in RSA