Many soldiers when they enlisted in the First World War were given a small leather-bound book of common prayer that could be carried easily at all times in the uniform breast pocket. On the cover was the Royal Crest and words ‘Official Copy’.
Most soldiers wrote their name inside – although this one doesn’t have any name in it, only dried flowers, possibly poppies, tied together and pressed into a section of the book showing the Evening Prayer.
The prayer book was purchased at Bulstrode’s Auctions in Bournemouth by local resident Arthur Cox, whose grandfather served in the Cheshire Regiment during the war.
On the inside cover is written ‘A Soldier’s Prayer’ to give soldiers in the battlefield the support, courage and strength to persevere to the very end. The facing page has been left blank, possibly for the soldier to write his will.
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