English schoolboys being trained for officers. From 'The Nations at War, a Current History' by Willis John Abbot, 1917 Edition.
Training English schoolboys for future officers
". . . Your remark about collecting royalties happens merely to be ironic; and so does not give me anything like the pleasure the other offer does — that offer to provide a responsible deputy for my position. My position is at present that of a private in the 2/5 battallion of the Gloucesters, who are about to move to huts on Salisbury plain. Any deputy, trustworthy or otherwise, would be most gratefully welcomed, and fulsomely flattered, receive all my military decorations, and a valuable insight into the best methods of mud-cleaning with vocal accompaniment:Yours trulyIvor Gurney"
End of the response by Ivor Gurney, composer, poet, and soldier of the 2nd 5th Gloucesters, to a February 17, 1916 circular of the Royal College of Music Union soliciting the views of its membership on an RCMU proposal to assist members in maintaining their professional interests and duties while on active service. The Union thought these members 'may be glad to know where to apply in the event of their wanting a temporary teacher for their pupils, a reliable deputy to take over a position, or a responsible representative to gather any royalties from publishers which may accrue.'
War Letters, Ivor Gurney, a selection edited by R.K.R. Thornton by Ivor Gurney, page 55, copyright © J. R. Haines, the Trustee of the Ivor Gurney Estate 1983, publisher: The Hogarth Press, publication date: 1984
1916-02-17, 1916, February, Gurney, Ivor Gurney, Salisbury plain, Salisbury, training, officer training
