MONTGOMERY B. L.: (1887-1976) British Field Marshal of World War II. A.L.S., Monty, two pages, 8vo, Isington Mill ...

MONTGOMERY B. L.: (1887-1976) British Field Marshal of World War II. A.L.S., Monty, two pages, 8vo, Isington Mill, Alton, Hampshire, 20th November 1950, to Lady Anderson ('My dear Ava'). Montgomery thanks his correspondent for her note on the eve of her departure and comments 'The picture of Smuts by your brother is very fine. His death was a tragedy and we will feel his absence keenly for many years. He had very great wisdom', further expressing his hope that she will enjoy her visit to Australia, although warning 'But the normal rule is that they over work their visitors and send them away exhausted. That was certainly so in my own case in 1947'. Accompanied by the original envelope hand addressed by Montgomery to Lady Anderson in Sydney, New South Wales. A letter of interesting content and good association. VG Ava Anderson, Viscountess Waverley (1895-1974) English political and social hostess at the centre of government during World War II. Second wife of John Anderson, 1st Viscount Waverley (1882-1958) British civil servant and politician who served in the Cabinet during World War II. Jan C. Smuts (1870-1950) South African Prime Minister 1919-24, 1939-48. Smuts served in the field during the Boer War and later as a British Field Marshal during World War II. Smuts had died, aged 80, from a heart attack on 11th September 1950.