'SCRIMGEOUR'S SMALL SCRIBBLING DIARY 1914-16. THE TRULY ASTONISHING WARTIME DIARY & LETTERS OF AN EDWARDIAN GENTLEMAN, NAVAL OFFICER, BOY & SON' compiled by Richard Hallam & Mark Beynon.

First edition 2008. Published by Conway.

Hardback with dust-wrapper. Measures: 6.25 by 9.25 inches. 304 pages. Fully illustrated in black & white.

When nineteen year old Alexander Scrimgeour lost his life at the Battle of Jutland in 1916, he had already left a legacy, complete diaries spanning the previous six years, chronicling first his life as the son of a wealthy stock broker, then his time as a young sea cadet and finally as a Sub-Lieutenant in His Majesty's Navy.

Like all good midshipmen were required to do, Scrimgeour took great pride in writing his journals and was careful to recount every event with marked sincerity. Appalled by some of the actions of the British Admiralty and the Germans alike, Scrimgeour risked court-martial to record some of the more notorious incidents during World War I, and what really happened.

His candid way of writing coupled with an articulate and imaginative turn of phrase has left us with first hand evidence shedding light on some extraordinary moments of the Great War. Among his revelations, Scrimgeour reveals the real reason behind the sinking of the HMS Hawke, the events preceding the capture of the infamous Baron Von Wedel, head of the German Spy Bureau and Privy Councilor to the Kaiser and what he learnt from dining with his Naval Commanders as the ship's interpreter.

With thousands of British sailors losing their lives at sea during World War I, it is important to draw on all remaining first hand evidence so that we remember, and never forget the heroic actions of our ancestors during one of our country's darkest episodes.

The contents, hard covers & dust-wrapper are in fine condition. No inscriptions.

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