ISBN: 0 75380 147 7 HB 370 pp Published by Phoenix-Orion Publishing Ltd.
I suspect that there are few men who played such an extraordinary part in both the First and Second World Wars as did the subject of this book ; Major General Sir Edward Louis Spears . Certainly there must have been few to have known so many twentieth century leaders of both France and Britain and had such an influence in the events of both wars. Born in Passy, a district of Paris on 7 August 1886, France being his first home for most of his childhood, his parents and grandparents living there. He travelled widely, mostly with his grandparents and spent much time in Voutenay where being a solitary child prone to illness his lifelong sense of isolation. He spent much of his childhood in France but also travelled much of Europe spending much time with his relatives especially his grandmother. He became fluent in languages, especially French as would be expected. In 1903 he joined the Kildare Militia and in 1906 commissioned in the Royal Irish Hussars. He was tactless officer and upset many by his intelligence. He almost lost his life in 1908, being badly injured whilst playing polo. Upon recovery he meets Colonel McDonohogh Chief of the War Office Intelligence Department who recognised his talents in languages. He also met for the first time Henry Wilson thus starting a mutual dislike for one another .In 1910 he joined the 11th Hussars, avoiding a posting to India with the 8th Hussars. In May 1914 he was sent to Paris posted to the French Ministry of War working with French officers gathering intelligence. He was to say later that he was the first British officer at the Front in 1914. At the outbreak of war he was officially assigned to the French as a liaison officer as both armies knew little of each other and his fluency in languages would prove a vital asset in the days to come.
Much has been written of the soured relationship between Sir John French and General Lanrezac, commanding the French 5th Army. When the French withdrew without informing the British, it was due to Spears initiative that he was able to warn the British GHQ of this calamity and thus saved the B.E.F, allowing them to withdraw before encirclement by the Germans.
During the war he came to know the outstanding figures of the French army, Foch, Petain, Joffre and many politicians, Clemenceau being most prominent He also formed a lifelong friendship with Churchill. This occasionally becoming a poisoned chalice. He was privy to almost all of the great French battles, so much so that he became known as Churchill’s spy. He was certainly privy to many of French disasters, including the French mutinies of 1917. It seemed that he had a very mixed acquaintance with most of the people he met .Some liked him, others disliked him. He certainly became a senior figure in Anglo French relations, although seemingly not being fully trusted by both sides; such was the nature of his work. He was a very enigmatic figure and as he knew so many senior figures in the war he wielded significant influence.
At Bray in 1916 he met an American heiress, Mrs May Borden-Turner who had set up and paid for a hospital for the French and who would later become his wife. Apart from being a very wealthy woman she later became a very successful novelist The marriage was as first a happy one but was not to last .
After the war Spears entered politics becoming the MP for Carlisle as a National Conservative increasingly concerned of the growing influence in Europe of Hitler and the Nazi Party, foreseeing the coming of the Second World War. Spears also became a successful author writing amongst others the two classic histories “Liaison 1914” and “Prelude to Victory”. During this period he became involved with his secretary Nancy Maurice, his marriage to May in name only. Nancy was later to become his second wife When the war started he was sent to France as Churchill’s eyes and ears, again becoming acquainted with all the key figures during the fall of France. Again he seems to have been little trusted by them. Not surprising as he played a key part in the sinking of the French Fleet at Dakar, at this stage being a confidant of General de Gaulle. His venture into commerce after the war and his involvement with the Ashanti Goldfields lead him into relationships with many prominent politicians in Ghana and Great Britain. He also came into conflict with Tiny Rowland which ended with a well publicised court case. He died in January 1974 but controversy continued to surround him even after death.
Edward Spears lived a remarkable life to say the least and this short review cannot do justice to Max Egremont’s studied and perceptive biography of one of the most enigmatic figures of the two wars. I recommend it to all readers.
Reviewer: Maurice Johnson
