2110-3-4-18

18, CAMBRIDGE TERRACE, HYDE PARK.W.2.

Dear Colonel Buchan

I hoped to send the History Chapter to-day but have been delayed so it will come to-morrow.

The man who told me that story was a Royal Scot & as he was a "regular" must have been 1st or 2nd Battn but I am not sure which. But he is not the only one. I always get soldiers to talk of books as its good for them & one gets to know what to send in that line. I cld tell you some very funny stories but one of the funniest was in my daughter's hospital where 2 boys in neighbouring beds were having a hot argument over some point

in "Greenmantle". Anyone wld. have thought it was a personal matter & that both had been at Erzerum. Finally one clinched it by saying in the broadest Scots, he must know best for wasn't he the same nation as the author? Then my son-in-law - a doctor on the French Front sent his wife one of the paper backed edition because he was so determined she should read it & told me in all the hospitals & clearing stations - he was in Gallipoli & ever since the end there in France - you are always safe & blessed if you can hand out one of "Buchans" to the wounded. And an Italian soldier boy I know is translating it for his men. Fine, isn't it?

I wish with all my heart - for my own sake as well as the men - Nelson's wld. bring out an edition of your books cheap enough to be sent to all the regiments - the Americans adore Blenkiron as who wouldn't? - Can't you fancy when this new book comes out Blenkiron will be a sort of war-cry to them? Thank Heaven he and Hannay are still left to us.

Yours ever gratefully

Ethel Candy.

[ST: Mrs Candy did John Buchan's typeing (of MSS for many years)]

1. 8. 18.