The Love of an Unknown Soldier: Found in a Dug Out

by Anonymous (Creator), John Lane (Publisher)

I think of you, as I shall think of you to the end, if the end comes. I do not want you less. I want you more perhaps, only not so selfishly. I realize that death does not finish all things. Love lives on. There are other worlds—there must be so many other worlds—in which I shall surely meet you if I miss you in this one. That I, so poor and human and puny, should be capable of this largeness of spirit, gives me confidence that God’s scheme for us must be greater than we have guessed. He cannot be smaller than the souls He has created. You may not need me in this existence. We may have met too late to be much to each other. But I cannot think love is wasted.


The Love of an Unknown Soldier collects the intimate letters written by an anonymous World War I officer in Paris to his American love. Found by a young British soldier at the end of the war, the documents had been wedged in the wall of an abandoned gun dug-out, secreted away, and never mailed by the original author. There was no indication of the name or unit of the writer, presumed dead, nor did he mention the name of the girl he loved so dearly. Since tracing the letters’ owner proved impossible, the young officer sent them to the publisher John Lane in an attempt to bring the letters to the attention of the American woman for whom the letters were written. The lady was never found, however, and the romantic soldier remains a mystery today.
 
First published in 1916, this touching correspondence provides a clear depiction of the emotional realities and devastation of war.

Genres: History

96 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1918

About the author

Books can be attributed to "Anonymous" for several reasons:

* They are officially published under that name
* They are traditional stories not attributed to a specific author
* They are religious texts not generally attributed to a specific author

Books whose authorship is merely uncertain should be attributed to Unknown.

See also: Anonymous

Reviews

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. I was not expecting something quite this moving.

This is beautifully written. So beautifully written in fact, I wonder if this really was spontaneous or if it's been made up for sensationalism. I really hope it is authentic - I'd like to think that there are guys out there who can write such beautiful love letters so effortlessly.

Fascinating in terms of historical context but elegant, spare and moving besides. It's ultimately tragic, but the (unknown) author is also profound, witty and unexpectedly funny. An incredibly immersive read.

[Sebastian · Rating 4 out of 5]

You know how it ends the moment you pick up the book but you stick with him and hope it gets better. The realism and the purity of his feelings make the book come alive. Powerful writing.

[Mary Monro · Rating 4 out of 5]

The premise of this book is that it is a transcript of letters written by an unknown English officer in the trenches of 1916 France. He writes to an American nurse who he’d met on leave in Paris. He writes of his feelings, his men, his experiences and muses on the meaning of it all. I really enjoyed it even though there was a constant question of authenticity in my mind. I understand that it is a fake - it was written by a Canadian called Coningsby Dawson - but he fought in WW1 so it is authentic in some ways. I believe it was published before the end of the war and I have no doubt it gave much solace to many who had lost loved ones.

[arden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Damn.

[Sal · Rating 5 out of 5]

ridiculously beautiful. this once again proves my theory that my soulmate probably died in the great war and thats why ill never fall in love.

[Regina Krus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whether it's a fake or not it is still a beautifully written and heart-wrenchingly true view of life as a soldier in war time. The author is amusingly honest, and his love is sweet and self sacrificing. The viewpoint of a soldier at war, their motives and their hope is written about perfectly in it's pages. A must read for anyone who likes love letters, or Great War lit.