Letters from Mesopotamia in 1915 and January, 1916 From Robert Palmer, who was killed in the Battle of Um El Hannah, June 21, 1916, aged 27 years

In these intimate wartime letters, a young British officer shares his journey from the quiet hills of India to the dusty front of Mesopotamia in 1915‑1916. He writes to his mother with a mix of candid humor and thoughtful reflection, describing the monotony of rainy days in hill stations, the camaraderie of evenings spent playing billiards, and the sudden summons for volunteers to reinforce the Persian Gulf forces. His prose oscillates between the ordinary pleasures of a brief leave and the deeper, uneasy questions about duty, faith, and the true cost of conflict.

Through his eyes, listeners hear the contrast between the tranquil hill‑top retreats and the looming reality of battle, as the soldier wrestles with the paradox of courage and compassion. His letters capture the raw emotions of a man caught between youthful optimism and the harsh lessons of war, offering a poignant glimpse into the personal side of history before the tragedy that would later claim his life.