Gun Fire (Number 52), edited by A.J. Peacock

Gun Fire (Number 52), edited by A.J. Peacock

A5 size booklet, 72 pages. (N7762X1)

Gun Fire was an occasional journal produced by members of the Western Front Association, and it contained articles about aspects of the First World War. This edition is mostly taken up (49 pages) with an article about Dorothy Lawrence, a female journalist who posed as a male soldier in order to serve at (and report from) the front. The article is titled 'Dorothy Lawrence - Sapper Extraordinary'. There is also a second article titled 'the Story of Dick Wills of York' (10 pages), as well as notes and queries and a section on reviews.

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 and blemishes, and some light wear along the edges and corners, but the staple spine is intact, and all pages are clean, intact, unblemished and tightly bound.