Gun Fire (Number 28), Harry Blanshard Wood of York and Bristol - A Great War VC, edited by A.J. Peacock
Gun Fire (Number 28), Harry Blanshard Wood of York and Bristol - A Great War VC, edited by A.J. Peacock
A5 size booklet, 84 pages. (N6350)
Gun Fire was an occasional journal produced by members of the Western Front Association, and usually it contained articles about aspects of the First World War. This edition is slightly different, in that 63 of the 81 pages are taken up with the story pf Harry Blanshard Wood, and draws upon primary sources to recount what has been described as a splendid story of a local hero, detailing the events surrounding how Harry won the Victoria Cross. (The remainder of the booklet is taken up by notes and queries).
From the first inside page: Almost three months after the ending of the Great War, the War Illustrated published 24 photographs of 'Winners of the V.C. in the Last Weeks of War'. Among them were two men with the same surname - Pte W. Wood of the Northumberland Fusiliers and 'Lce.-Sergt. H.B. Wood' of the Scots Guards. The latter was Harry Blanshard Wood of the 2nd battalion of his regiment who was awarded Britain's highest gallantry medal for deeds performed in October 1918. He was York's first and only Great War VC.
Interestingly, an earlier edition of the journal explained the origins of the slang phrase 'Gun Fire', detailing how it was a term for the early cup of tea served out to troops in the morning before going on first parade. In the War recruits in training always had Gun Fire supplied to them, as the work before breakfast was often particularly gruelling.
From the first inside page: Almost three months after the ending of the Great War, the War Illustrated published 24 photographs of 'Winners of the V.C. in the Last Weeks of War'. Among them were two men with the same surname - Pte W. Wood of the Northumberland Fusiliers and 'Lce.-Sergt. H.B. Wood' of the Scots Guards. The latter was Harry Blanshard Wood of the 2nd battalion of his regiment who was awarded Britain's highest gallantry medal for deeds performed in October 1918. He was York's first and only Great War VC.
Interestingly, an earlier edition of the journal explained the origins of the slang phrase 'Gun Fire', detailing how it was a term for the early cup of tea served out to troops in the morning before going on first parade. In the War recruits in training always had Gun Fire supplied to them, as the work before breakfast was often particularly gruelling.
Condition of the booklet is generally very good. The cover has one or two minor scuffs but is clean and bright, the staple spine is intact, and all pages are clean, intact, unblemished and tightly bound. Their is a small price sticker on the rear side cover.
| Condition | New |