Lighthall states,
The verses from Lt. Peregrine Acland’s Poem “The Reveille of Romance” which I am about to quote show the spirit of high resolve and the imaginative outlook with actuated those who sprang to arms at the first call. This spirit upheld many throughout the stress of the campaigns. The author, who wrote the lines at seas on his way to the front, proved himself a fine soldier, received the Military Cross, was promoted to the rank of Major and was severely wounded
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Canada |
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New York |
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dj |
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Peregrine Acland, author and military officer, born in Toronto, attended University College School in London, England and Upper Canada College in Toronto. After graduating from the University of Toronto in 1913, he worked for a short time for the Prince Rupert Daily News. He was then employed in the Department of Finance in Ottawa.
Acland enlisted in 1914 as a private in the Queen's Own Rifles, but soon transferred to the 48th Highlanders. He went overseas in the First Contingent as an officer in the 15th Battalion, achieving the rank of major in 1916. He was badly wounded in the Battle of the Somme, and for the remainder of the War served as a military instructor. He later entered the advertising business. From 1942 to 1950, he served as press officer to Mackenzie King and then returned to advertising.
"Acland was awarded the Military Cross; his "conspicuous bravery at the front" was reported in the dailies. The novel drawn from his experiences was published in three countries, received glowing reviews, and soon went out of print. What recognition has Acland received since? After the adverts for All Else is Folly had run, his name disappeared from the Globe and Mail, the newspaper for which he'd once worked; even his death went unreported. It's all so shameful, really."
