Drawing Fire
Simth, Len
Sold by The Deva Bookshop, Holt, United Kingdom
AbeBooks Seller since 22 September 2023
Used - Hardcover
Condition: Used - Near fine
Ships from United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Quantity: 1 available
Add to basketSold by The Deva Bookshop, Holt, United Kingdom
AbeBooks Seller since 22 September 2023
Condition: Used - Near fine
Quantity: 1 available
Add to basketNear Fine book in Very Good+ unclipped DJ (£20). No inscriptions or other markings, looks unread.
Seller Inventory # 200678
A vivid and powerful diary of life in the trenches
The horrors of war in the trenches are brought to life with a rare immediacy and power through the diary of soldier and artist Len Smith. Enduring battles such as those at Loos and Vimy Ridge, Len survives with a mixture of whimsical humour, bravery and sheer good luck.
Len enlisted as an infantryman in the City of London Regiment on his 23rd birthday, 22 September 1914. During the war years he kept a journal on scraps of paper which he hid in his trousers to smuggle home at the end of the war. At the same time, he added to his thoughts with colour sketches of the people and places he encountered.
His drawing skills were also put to good use to gather and record intelligence on German army positions which he did under great personal risk; they were later used to help plan military strategy. One of his many ingenious contributions to the war was to camouflage a watch tower in no man’s land as a living tree. He had crept within yards of an enemy headquarters and drawn a tree so accurately that a hollow steel replica could be created. In the dead of night the real tree was removed and the fake one put in its place, with the enemy none the wiser. He also spent four days avoiding enemy fire to produce a two-yard long panoramic view of enemy troop lines at Vimy Ridge.
Len, who was never honoured for his actions during the war, was extremely humble about his adventures - after delivering a message through heavy fire a General remarked that his efforts were worthy of a VC. With characteristic good humour Len writes, “I’d like to have assured him in that ordeal a WC would have been more appropriate.”
The diary as a whole creates a tremendous sense of being at his side during his extraordinary experiences.
Len Smith fought in some of the bloodiest battles of the First World War - at Loos and Vimy Ridge - before being drafted as an observer. After a severe bout of trench fever he was transferred to the Royal Engineers Special Branch where he worked on various camouflage devices.
After the war he worked as a commercial artist, and died aged 83 in 1974. His nephew, David Mason, re-discovered the diary amongst family papers.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
We accept payment through AbeBooks, PayPal and Bank Transfer. All items are offered subject to prior sale. If you are dissatisfied with your purchase we accept returns when initiated within 30 days of the estimated delivery date, for all reasons covered under AbeBooks' Return Policy.
If you are a consumer you can cancel the contract in accordance with the following. Consumer means any natural person who is acting for purposes which are outside his trade, business, craft or profession.
INFORMATION REGARDING THE RIGHT OF CANCELLATION
Statutory Right to cancel
You have the right to cancel this contract within 14 days without giving any reason.
The cancellation period will expire after 14 days from the day on which you acquire, or a third party other than the carrier and indicated by you acquires, physical possession of the the last good or the last lot or piece.
To exercise the right to cancel, you must inform us, The Deva Bookshop, Westwood, The Beeches, CH2 1PE, Chester, United Kingdom, +44 07879693538, of your decision to cancel this contract by a clear statement (e.g. a letter sent by post, fax or e-mail). You may use the attached model cancellation form, but it is not obligatory. You can also electronically fill in and submit a clear statement on our website, under "My Purchases" in "My Account". If you use this option, we will communicate to you an acknowledgement of receipt of such a cancellation on a durable medium (e.g. by e-mail) without delay.
To meet the cancellation deadline, it is sufficient for you to send your communication concerning your exercise of the right to cancel before the cancellation period has expired.
Effects of cancellation
If you cancel this contract, we will reimburse to you all payments received from you, including the costs of delivery (except for the supplementary costs arising if you chose a type of delivery other than the least expensive type of standard delivery offered by us).
We may make a deduction from the reimbursement for loss in value of any goods supplied, if the loss is the result of unnecessary handling by you.
We will make the reimbursement without undue delay, and not later than 14 days after the day on which we are informed about your decision to cancel with contract.
We will make the reimbursement using the same means of payment as you used for the initial transaction, unless you have expressly agreed otherwise; in any event, you will not incur any fees as a result of such reimbursement.
We may withhold reimbursement until we have received the goods back or you have supplied evidence of having sent back the goods, whichever is the earliest.
You shall send back the goods or hand them over to us or The Deva Bookshop, Westwood, The Beeches, CH2 1PE, Chester, United Kingdom, +44 07879693538, without undue delay and in any event not later than 14 days from the day on which you communicate your cancellation from this contract to us. The deadline is met if you send back the goods before the period of 14 days has expired. You will have to bear the direct cost of returning the goods. You are only liable for any diminished value of the goods resulting from the handling other than what is necessary to establish the nature, characteristics and functioning of the goods.
Exceptions to the right of cancellation
The right of cancellation does not apply to:
Model withdrawal form
(complete and return this form only if you wish to withdraw from the contract)
To: (The Deva Bookshop, Westwood, The Beeches, CH2 1PE, Chester, United Kingdom, +44 07879693538)
I/We (*) hereby give notice that I/We (*) withdraw from my/our (*) contract of sale of the following goods (*)/for the provision of the following goods (*)/for the provision of the following service (*),
Ordered on (*)/received on (*)
Name of consumer(s)
Address of consumer(s)
Signature of consumer(s) (only if this form is notified on paper)
Date
* Delete as appropriate.
Orders ship within 2 working days (usually same or next day depending on when we receive the order). For overseas customers our international shipping rates apply. Please note when shipping overseas, we use a Tracked Airmail Service for peace of mind and security. Other options are available and we are always happy to discuss your specific requirements. We may request additional payment for items weighing in excess of 1kg, or over-sized items, when shipping abroad.
| Order quantity | 14 to 45 business days | 5 to 10 business days |
|---|---|---|
| First item | £ 16.50 | £ 20.00 |
Delivery times are set by sellers and vary by carrier and location. Orders passing through Customs may face delays and buyers are responsible for any associated duties or fees. Sellers may contact you regarding additional charges to cover any increased costs to ship your items.