Severn & Somme

SEVERN & SOMME
BY IVOR GURNEY Private, of the Gloucesters LONDON: SIDGWICK & JACKSON, LTD. 3 ADAM STREET, ADELPHI, W.C.2. 1917 First published in 1917 All rights reserved TO MARGARET HUNT


This book stands dedicated to one only of my friends, but there are many others to whom I would willingly dedicate singly and in state, if that did not mean the writing of forty books of verse and dedications—a terrible thing for all concerned.
So that, under the single name and sign of homage and affection, I would desire such readers as come to me to add also:
Even as I write the list becomes fuller, farther extended, yet a soldier must face pain, and so it remains shorter by far than might be.
I fear that those who buy the book (or even borrow), to get information about the Gloucesters will be disappointed. Most of the book is concerned with a person named Myself, and the rest with my county, Gloucester, that whether I die or live stays always with me—being in itself so beautiful, so full of memories; whose people are so good to be friends with, so easy-going and so frank.
Some of the afore-mentioned people I have never had good fortune enough to meet in the flesh, but that was not my fault. I hope they will forgive my using their names without permission. Ah, would they only retaliate in kind! That is, however, not likely, as I never was famous, and a Common Private makes but little show.