MASSACRE

It is largely due to the efforts of Rev. Leslie Robert Aitken, Rector of Alvechurch, Worcestershire, and National Chaplain to the Dunkirk Veterans' Association, that the details of the Wormhoudt Massacre - one of the worst atrocities perpetrated by the Germans against the British in the Second World War - are preserved for posterity. In May 1940, during the retreat to Dunkirk, the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment was ordered to fight to the last in order to hold up the German advance.

4pp., 8vo. On the rectos only of four leaves stapled together at one corner. In fair condition, on aged paper with wear at foot. Printer's slug at foot of final page. The first page begins: 'KILLED 425 WOUNDED 1764 | This list of wounded only includes gunshot and bomb wounds. Very many of those kicked almost into pulp in the streets and left for dead are not included here.

In black 19.5 cm square sleeve, with striking cover design showing the aftermath of Sharpeville, and notice 'The American Committee on Africa receives royalties from the sale of this record.' The four songs are Tina Sizwe (We, The Brown Nation); Nkosi Waqcine (God Save the Volunteers); Asikatali (We Do Not Care If We Go To Prison); Liyashizwa (Pass-Burning Song). Very good, lightly-aged, with the record itself (in brown paper sleeve) seemingly unplayed. The twelve-page booklet is stapled, with illustrated cover and three photographs of the Sharpville Massacre.

Inchbald ran a 'gentleman's boarding academy'. The recipient Ward (1781-1871) was a master cutler and diarist, and one of the founders in 1822 of the Sheffield Literary and Philosophical Society. Three pages, 4to. Dusty but in very good condition, with small piece of second leaf of bifoliate cut away in opening the red wax seal. '[...] I write to you [...] to impose upon you some possibly irksome task. - Things are here in a Train towards the establishing [of] a public library & reading room.