Competition: Win a copy of WWI Memoir: The Tale Of A Boy Soldier

At the outbreak of the great war, George Parker lied about his age to enlist in the army. Swept up by the patriotism of the time (and a boyish urge to join in with whatever his mates were doing) the 15-year-old told the recruiting sergeant he was 18. “Does your mother know you are 18?” quipped the sergeant.

George Parker’s eagerness did not last long. His memoir, now published by local community publishers QueenSpark Books, recounts the hardships of life in the trenches: covered in lice and looking forward to a meal comprised of horse meat wrapped in sandbags. George fought at the battle of Ypres, and was seriously wounded, but somehow despite it all, remained optimistic. His memoir is an inspiring account of courage in an age of folly.

To mark the centenary of WW1, QueenSpark Books have made The Tale Of A Boy Soldier their book of the month for both August and September. Anyone who buys it will also get a free copy of The Landlord Cometh – the memoir of Jack Cummins, a Labour party and suffrage activist who also fought in the trenches. Jack, who later lived in Brighton for 20 years, joked he was “the only pacifist who took up arms”.

We have four copies of both books to give away to anyone who can answer the following question:

World War One began in 1914 when Austria-Hungary declared war on which Balkan country?

To be in with a chance to win, email competitions@thelatest.co.uk with the name of the competition in the subject box and your answer to the question in the body of the email. Alternatively, write to us at the address at the front of the magazine. Don’t forget to give your name, address and telephone number.
Closing date for entries: Monday 25 August 2014.