The Supreme Sacrifice, and Other Poems in Time of War by John S. Arkwright (LP198)

Published 1919: First Edition, Second Impression / Hardcover / Very Good Condition / Illustrated throughout

Original green cloth. 78 very clean and bright pages. Covers slightly rubbed and faded with time, bumped on the corners and frayed along the spine edge consistent with age but remain firm and intact.
(LP198)

Postage €6.95 including any additional books ordered.
An Post prepaid postage envelopes within the Republic of Ireland, with no weight restrictions from €6.95.

A moving collection of poems written during the time of war, including the titular poem 'The Supreme Sacrifice, ' by John Stanhope Arkwright. [Google Books]

John Stanhope Arkwright (1872-1954, known to the family as 'Jack') inherited Hampton Court estate from his father in 1905. By then the estate was encumbered with mortgages, but once he had cleared those and settled death duties, he put the estate up for sale and moved to Kinsham Court.

Jack was educated at Eton, where he published short verses in the college magazine, and thereafter at Christ Church, Oxford, where, in 1895, he was awarded the Newdigate Prize for poetry for his epic 'Montezuma'. (His own verdict, confided to his mother, was "not at all satisfied with it & am doubtful about sending it in. I think it is just above the average of a bad year.') He published a volume of poetry The Last Muster (1901) in response to the Boer War which drew a favourable response from Rudyard Kipling. However, it is for his Great War hymn, 'O Valiant Hearts' first sung on 5th August 1917 at Westminster Abbey to mark the anniversary of the outbreak of war, that he is best remembered.

His words were sung at the burial of the Unknown Soldier, at the dedication of the burial flag of Ypres, and at the consecration of the Houses of Parliament and Menin Gate war memorials. They were also recited by the Premier of Canada over the transatlantic telephone at the unveiling of the Canadian memorial at Vimy Ridge. The tune is still played annually at the Cenotaph in London at the Remembrance Sunday service. He was described as the 'inspired interpreter of the nation's deep and inmost feelings'. He was knighted in the 1934 New Year's honours list.

With thanks to Catherine Beale for her historical guidance and research on this lot.

https://www.bonhams.com/auction/27760/lot/121/arkwright-john-stanhope-the-supreme-sacrifice-and-other-poems-in-time-of-war-1872-together-with-some-related-ephemera-including-a-manuscript-score-of-o-valiant-hearts-small-quantity/