Letters from the Front go under the hammer

Personal papers, including letters to his parents and his brother, belonging to Second World War poet Richard (Dicky) Spender are expected to fetch up to £6,000 when they go under the hammer.

Spender had already had his work published in the national press when he was killed in 1943 aged 21.

The letters of the soldier-poet, who was struck down while leading his men into action in Tunisia, are said to show a combination of high spirits in the face of the horror of war and practical common sense.

His papers will be sold at auction by Bonhams in London on 27 March.