2110-4-1-5

Telegrams: c/o Salability, London Telephones: 3060 Holborn

62, Hatton Garden, London, E.C.

25th January, 1922

Dear Sir,

I have just finished reading your book "Mr. Standfast" which has given me not only the greatest pleasure to read, but it has also interested me possibly far more from the fact that the military details you touch on are so correct, in distinction to many other war stories which have been written.

You will appreciate that I feel a big interest in your book from the fact that just after our occupation of Peronne in the early part of 1917, I became Town Major, and subsequently Area Commandant of the place, and retained that position until being booted out by the Bosche early in March 1918.

During that time it was my privilege to be brought very closely into contact with many of the Staff of the Third and Seventh and Cavalry Corps who were in that Area, and also with Major-General Hambro, who was, at that time, D.A. and Q.M.G. of the 5th Army, so that from personal knowledge I am in a position to verify practically all the details you have given of our position at the time of the German Advance early in 1918.

I trust you will not think it an impertinence on my part writing you, being an entire stranger, although it is possible, as I had the opportunity, and did meet, a very great many notable

-2characters when I was in Peronne, that I may have, unconsciously, had the pleasure of meeting yourself under another name.

Believe me,

Yours very faithfully, H. E. Merry HEM/IL.

John Buchan, Esq., C/o Messrs. Hodder & Stoughton, Ltd., 20, Warwick Square, E. C. 4.

[card] Major H.E. Merry M.B.E., 2/6th Batt. S. Staffs. [scratched out]