Destroyer from America (Signed first edition)
1942, signed by John Fernald, and based on his wartime escort duties
Author
Publisher
Printing Details
First edition, first printing. Hardback, bound in light blue / grey cloth with printed titling to spine and destroyer vignette to upper board. 20.5 × 13.5cm, 127pp.
Signed by John Fernald to the ffep.
During WWII, Fernald served in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve. He was stationed on the HMS Newmarket, one of fifty "four-stacker" destroyers given to the British by the United States. This title is a fictionalised but accurate account of the escort duties.
The illustrator, John Worlsey, was an active service artist in the war (and the only artist to capture naval life and battles in situ). He was captured and sent to Marlag O, where he created "Albert RN", a mannequin to be counted instead of any escaped prisoners.
Condition
A good reading copy. The cloth is faded to the spine with a small stain at the base of the spine and along the bottom edge. Corners bumped. The endpapers are foxed but the main body of text is in good condition though tanned due to the wartime economy paper. The book remains in strong readable condition.
Books are currently zero-rated for duty (as of January 2026), so the price shown is the price you pay.
Price
£35.00
