The Horses of Falaise : Poems on the Experiences of a Fighting Soldier in World War II (Signed)

48pp. With an introduction by Vernon Scannell. Signed and inscribed by the author on the half-title in blue ink, ‘To Ted in appreciation – Vic West 1st Nov. 1975.’ White paper wrappers (clean and fresh). Internally neat, clean, bright and tight. In its original dust jacket (patchily faded, small nick at base of spine, lightly bumped on upper edge). Volume from the library of Edward ‘Ted’ Willis (1914-1992), the political activist and British playwright, novelist and screenwriter, perhaps best known for writing the television series Dixon of Dock Green. Willis was awarded a peerage in 1963, becoming Lord Willis, Baron of Chislehurst. Victor West, born in 1919 and educated at the Simon Langton School, Canterbury, later working at the Worker’s Bookshop, handing out Left Book Club choices and engaged in the many demonstrations during the years leading up to the second world war. He saw active service with the 1st Rangers in Greece and Crete, where he was captured. As prisoner of war he ran clandestine, anti-fascist meetings under the noses of the Nazis. This is the first collection of his war-time poetry, many of which draw upon his personal experiences as a soldier and prisoner of war.