Women’s Army Auxillary Corps Album: Sketches & good wishes from the ‘Blueboys’ convalescing at Summerdown Camp, Eastbourne

A pocket album which once belonged to Marjory Eda Lane of the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps, A Division, at Summerdown Camp, Eastbourne. c80 pages brim with poems, sketches and warm thanks to Marjory from the soldiers injured in the First World War who were convalescing in the camp during the years 1918 - 1919. The Blueboys as they were known due to the blue uniforms they wore became a familiar sight around Eastbourne. Entries among others include those from men in the 7th Londons, the East Surrey Regiment, the 2nd Rhodesia Regiment and the 24th Royal Fuseliers. 8 sketches include one of a Springbok (crest of the South African Brigade), an insignia titled Natal & OFS, a satirical cartoon and possibly a sketch of Eda herself. 2 rather accomplished water colours fill full leaves.

PHYSICAL CONDITION: A robust little album in excellent condition. The dark roan boards feature a raised WAAC motif to front board above the word ‘Album’ in gilt lettering. The front pastedown reveals the ownership details, ‘14661 Marjory (Eda) Lane, WAAC, A Division, Summerdown Camp, Eastbourne’. Front free endpaper reads ‘Should Auld Acquaintance Be Forgot’. An extremely accomplished water colour depicting an Eastbourne scene begins the book painted by WG Phillips, MGC, 1918.