A Boy in the Peninsular War: The Services, Adventures, and Experiences of Robert Blakeney, Subaltern in the 28th Regiment: An Autobiography [SIGNED by G. O. Smith]

Blakeny, Robert and Sturgis, Julian [Gilbert Oswald Smith (born 25 November 1872 in Croydon, Surrey, died 6 December 1943 in Lymington, Hampshire), familiarly known as G. O. Smith or simply as G. O. or Jo, was a nineteenth-century amateur footballer often referred to as "the first great centre forward"] Harry Keppel Chester [born 18 July 1894, died 27 March 1917]

Published by Published by John Murray, Albemarle Street, London First Edition . 1899., 1899

About this Item

First edition hard back binding in half dark brown leather covers, five raised bands to the spine with gilt title lettering, top edge gilt, marble end papers. 8vo. 9'' x 6''. Contains [xviii] 382 printed pages of text, fold-out map to the rear. Sun fading to the spine, light foxing to the end leaves and in Very Good tight and sound condition. Smith played first-class cricket for Oxford University and Surrey, was educated, from 1886 to 1892, at Charterhouse School, one of the principal nurseries of the Association Football game, and learned many of the skills that subsequently brought him fame while boarding at the school. Smith captained the England team on at least 13, and possibly as many as 16, occasions (early records are inexact) between 1896 and 1901, winning at least eight games, possibly as many as ten, and drawing two. Smith retired from football shortly after his final international appearance and became joint headmaster at Ludgrove School, a preparatory school in Barnet recognised as one of the principal feeder institutions for Eton College. His fellow headmaster, Arthur Dunn - who had founded Ludgrove in 1892 - was another noted amateur footballer and had also played as centre-forward for England. Dunn died, aged only 41, a few months after Smith joined the school, and thereafter G. O. shared his duties with his fellow Corinthian, England captain, and great friend, William Oakley. He also taught, from 1918 at Sunningdale Preparatory School and died, aged 71, in retirement at his home in Hampshire. Ludgrove Prize Plate inside dated December 18th, 1906, SIGNED 'G. O. Smith.' Apart from the rare G. O. Smith signature, a poignant aside to the book is that the recipient student, Harry Keppel Chester, lost his life in World War 1. He was killed in action in the first GAZA Battle in 1917 and was posthumously promoted from Lieutenant to Captain H. K. Chester. His parish church, St. Mary the Virgin, in Birchanger, Essex has a marble memorial of his with the following inscription 'To the Glory of God and in loving memory of Harry Keppel Chester of this Parish, and of Kings College, Cambridge, Captain, 5th Battalion Essex Regiment, Born 18 July 1894, died 27 March 1917 of wounds received in action the previous day near Gaza, Buried at Khan Yunus, in Palestine. 'Go thy way, thy son liveth'. The Imperial War Museum, Lambeth Street, London has on view in their collection a gathering of his 1914-1917 letters, privately published in book form by his family in 1921. It is titled 'Letters from Harry Keppel Chester 1914-1917'. 218 pages. A poignant tragedy that 12 year old Harry received as his school prize 'A Boy in the Peninsular War', - killed in action - still a boy. Member of the P.B.F.A. SPORT [Football].

Seller Inventory # 84865

Bibliographic Details

• Title: A Boy in the Peninsular War: The Services, Adventures, and Experiences of Robert Blakeney, Subaltern in the 28th Regiment: An Autobiography [SIGNED by G. O. Smith]
• Publisher: Published by John Murray, Albemarle Street, London First Edition . 1899.
• Publication Date: 1899
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Condition: Very Good
• Signed: Signed by Author(s)