Private Peat

Harold Reginald Peat (July 12, 1893 1960) was a Canadian soldier and author. Born in Jamaica, and emigrated to Toronto with his mother, Peat was educated privately and at boarding school in Kingston, Jamaica. He served as a private in the 3rd Battalion of the First Canadian Contingent during WWI. He was hit by an explosive bullet and lost his right arm. While recuperating in a hospital, he became pen-mate with Louisa Watson Small, a British writer. Louisa Watson Small was born in Keady, Armagh, Ireland and educated at Queens College, Belfast and the University of London. In August 1916 they married. Louisa helped Harold write Private Peat (1917), a memoir of his experiences during World War I and after. He described himself as an ardent Prohibitionist but in the book he said he did not think the rum ration controversially issued to Canadian troops was dangerous. The book was on the New York Times bestseller list in 1918 and 1919. (Excerpt from Wikipedia)

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