The papers of the Second World War poet, Richard (Dicky) Spender, who has been described as the Rupert Brooke of his generation, are being sold at Bonhams Fine Books and Manuscripts sale in London on 27 March. They are estimated at £4,000-6,000.
Spender was already a published poet in The Times, The Daily Telegraph and the Observer among others when he was killed in 1943 aged just 21 while leading his men into action in Tunisia during Operation Torch. His gravestone in the Imperial War Graves cemetery in Tabarka, Tunisia is inscribed with lines from his poem The Young Soldier: ‘In High Proud Exultation/ Let Us Repay/ Laughing Blood With Spilt’.
The Times Literary Supplement was in no doubt of Spender’s significance, writing in its obituary of him, “Those familiar with the work of the young soldier-poet will be aware of the loss his death must mean to English literature.” The Observer said, “He wrote mainly in the free style, with a passionate appetite for all lively and beautiful things. There is enough of his work left to make another small book. He will be remembered by far more than his friends.”
His letters – many of which are included in this lot together with the manuscripts of the last nine poems he wrote – show an appealing combination of high spirits and good practical common sense. Writing to his parents he said, “There is no need to bother your heads about my skin. Just keep well yourselves, Old Folks, & keep the Home Fires switched on…” To his brother he demonstrated a more sober assessment of the conflict. In a letter written four days before his untimely death he wrote, “…This place is absolute hell. Everybody gets knocked off amid scenes of utter wet cold misery, & still up we come for another bloodbath. Could you get me a transfer to the levies as any of the following, a) Batman (b) Cook (c) Parachutist (Instructor, Ground) (d) Camouflage Officer (theory only) (e) Press Representative, or EMSA representative (rear areas only) (f) Brigadier…”
