War Letters 1914-1918, Vol. 1

From a Young British Officer at the Western Front During the First World War

Wilbert Spencer was 17 years old when the First World War began. With one year still to complete at school, he decided to join the British army instead. Within four months he was leading 200 men to the front; within eight months he was dead.

Published for the first time in their entirety, Wilbert’s letters paint a deeply moving portrait of a remarkable young man. Bright, optimistic and exuberant, his gentle character shines through ever word.

Along with an introduction to Wilbert's life, the letters are accompanied by extensive, meticulously researched notes which are just a simple click away. They are there to add detail, context and colour for the reader who wants to understand more about particular aspects of the war. They include not just comments on military matters, but on a wide range other issues that together help paint a richer portrait of Wilbert and the times in which he was were living.

In almost all cases, the notes provide direct links to resources that are freely available online.

The links don't include Wikipedia, but they do include battalion diaries, recordings of old songs, war memoirs, military training manuals, official histories, trench maps, recordings of old war songs and much, much more.

They enable every reader to embark on their own journey of historical discovery and exploration.