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An interesting collection of ephemera relating to 2/Lt Douglas St George Pettigrew. Pettigrew enlisted in the Public Schools brigade at the beginning of WWI and was gazetted to the Sherwood Foresters in 1916. Severely wounded at Thiepval, 7th October 1916, he made a complete recovery and returned to the front where he was mortally wounded whilst leading his men, 22nd October 1917, he died the next day. His first Commanding Officer wrote `he was one of those sure to be hit, the best always are`. He died aged 25 just a few days before he expected to be transferred to the Royal Flying Corps. The collection includes his death plaque, telegrams, photographs, books and newspaper cuttings. The lot includes an interesting group of letters from the trenches including his last letter, particularly poignant as it arrived with his mother on 27th October 1917, four days after his death. 17th Sherwood Foresters B.E.F No Date Mother dear, You asked me in your letter of 2 Oct 1917 to write a few lines that should go to you in the event of my being killed. Well, I can only say, that when I go into the trenches I have no fear at all as regards the ultimate end, neither do I at all fear Death, as such: I have only the natural shrinking from physical pain (more at some times than at others) which, as far as I can see, cannot be absent from a reasoning being under these conditions; but I pray that it may never deter me from my duty, or gain the mastery over me. Death I look on as Unknown but not Unfriendly: for life here is bound by so much, whereas Death is really Life Eternal; unbounded limitless and grand. That I may never, in any way, prove unworthy of you my mother, is also my wish. Yr son, D. see lot 97 for a portrait of Douglas St George Pettigrew, see illustration
![[Albrizzi] Genealogical tree genealogical tree beginning with Byzantine emperor Alexios III Angelus (1153-1211) with bird`s-e](http://lot-images.atgmedia.com/SR/1574/2787488/740_468x382.jpg)
