ESMOND The Lost Idol 1895 - 1917

Solihull, West Midlands: Helion & Co.. Near Fine in Near Fine dust jacket. 2017. First Edition. Hardcover. 1912174022 . With photographic illustrations, appendix, bibliography, bottom tip of front endpaper torn away, signed by both authors on the title page, a very good copy in very good dustjacket. Esmond Elliot, younger son of the Earl of Minto, Viceroy of India, was killed while serving with the Scots Guards, aged 22, at the beginning of the Passchendaele Offensive. Compiled from his grieving mother’s memorial of his life, together with his letters, diaries and photographs from the front, the story begins with a sweeping panorama of a golden pre-war era, featuring Canada, the splendour of the Raj, Eton and the Royal Family, and ends with sacrifice on the Western Front. After leaving Eton in 1914, Esmond gave up his place at Cambridge and joined the Lothians and Border Horse Yeomanry. He arrived in France in February 1916 as ADC to Geoffrey Feilding who was in charge of the Guards Division. As a staff officer, he was exposed to the complexities and responsibilities of High Command and to senior military figures, but he yearned for action and, six months later, joined the Scots Guards, a regiment which would take him to the frontline. ; 250 x 180mm; 248 pages; Signed by All Authors .