20A Trebovir Road

Earls Court

SW7

July 4th 25

Dear Mr Mottram,

I hope that you will forgive a stranger such as myself writing to ask a favour, my excuse must be the pleasure which your books have given me.

I read a great deal, and of those authors from whom I derive the greatest enjoyment, I always endevour (sic) to secure nice copies for my small library of modern first editions – I have both your books – and would like to know if I may forward them for you to sign - it adds so greatly to the interest of a little collection, to have a few volumes which have had the toutch (sic) of their creator upon them.

I have just finished “Sixty-Four,Ninety-Four”, and disagree entirely with what would seem to be the general opinion – at least, as I have heard it several times expressed, “That of the two ‘Spanish Farm’ was far the better book.”

It may be that a greater number of people are qualified, by previous reading and a certain historical knowledge – to appreciate your masterly study of the Flemish country-woman – whereas, no history, and very little literature can give any understanding of the recent war – only a personal and comparatively prolonged participation.

If I may express an opinion, I regard “Sixty-Four,Ninety-Four” as a much greater achievement than “The Spanish Farm”; it is to my mind, one of the finest things in literature that have come to us out of the war.

Those composite characters of yours – Uncle & Earnshaw, Jerry & Captain Castle are magnificent, - almost painfull (sic) in their familiarity, - it is amazing with what vividness you bridge the years between, and bring back those never to be forgotten days of Northern France and Flanders, - Above all you seem to have neglected nothing from the criminal futility of “The Brigade Affair” – to the riotus (sic) night as a guest of the R.A.F. – and that final pathetic, yet somehow inevitable incident, the death of Uncle – from Flu’

It is a splendid book – so even – so complete, and to read it, will I think, be as near as anyone who was not there will ever get, to an understanding of the civil-soldier on the Western Front.

With all good wishes for your future work, to which I am one of the many that look forward