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Affectionate letters from a Royal Navy Commodore to his beloved wife

ISBN: 1 903035 26 0  SB 116pp £9.99
Published by Wessex Books, 2 Station Cottages, Newton Toney, Salisbury, Wilts. SP4 0HD. 

The letters in this book were written by Commodore Charles Le Mesurier to his adored wife Florence (Foffs), largely from HMS Caliope beginning after the battle of Jutland, and thereafter up until his premature death from oesophageal cancer in November 1917.
The letters, edited here by Le Mesuriers grandaughter Harriet Bachrach, are now in the safekeeping of the Imperial War Museum, and some have featured in Major General Julian Thompsons Imperial War Museum Book of The War at Sea.
The letters are warm and always stress that Foffs is not to worry, and show great affection towards the couples 4 children; disabled Margaret, (My Mouse) Ted, (Small son) Alice and Anne (the Babies). Some are particularly poignant when Le Mesurier writes about his hopes for when the war is ended, which he did not live to see. Even when obviously terribly ill, Le Mesurier was always striving to reassure Foffs.
The delays in communications reaching home are aptly illustrated; although we do not have Foffs letters, Le Mesurier is concerned that the lack of communication leaves her anxious, but does his best to reassure her, and congratulates her after the battle of Jutland for her bravery in a difficult situation.
Le Mesurier was very concerned for the welfare of his men, after the battle of Jutland, he sends home a list of casualties and asks his wife to write to their next of kin. The letters are sprinkled with references to wounded or disabled men that he had commanded or known, and he was always anxious as to their welfare.
Le Mesurier was obviously a forward thinking officer; he was pleased that the captains of the ships in the 4th Light Cruiser Squadron under his command used their intitiative during the battle of Jutland, and Major General Thompson explains that he used what is now called "mission command," trusting his captains to carry out his wishes, rather than issuing inflexible orders.
These letters are much more than the letters about a battle; they are valuable social documents. Harriet Bacrach is to be congratulated for bringing these letters to our attention.
The Commodores son, Ted Le Mesurier, himself a former Captain of HMS Belfast has also added some reminiscences about his father and his experiences at Naval College at the end of the book.
Well illustrated and produced, this book is a very interesting read. Recommended.

Reviewer: Michelle Young