1957 Just the Job: Some Experiences of a Colonial Policeman

Description

Author's Presentation Copy, First Edition, Illustrated, Publishers' Original Binding, Scarce, Signed, With Dustwrapper, With Letter

A signed copy of this scarce work.

The first edition, first impression, in the publisher's original clipped dust wrapper.

With a signed letter from the author pasted to the front free endpaper, dated 17th July 1978, addressed to Mr. Clifford R. Stanley. In the letter, Morton says 'Yes, I well remember you, of course [...] at dinner with Sir Thomas and Lady Scrivenor, whom we knew well in Palestine and whom we see frequently'. He closes the letter 'Yes, on the whole the years have treated me and my family very kindly; I hope the same goes for you'.

The biography of British colonial policeman Geoffrey J. Morton, who is best known for his controversial role in the death of Avraham Stern, the leader of Lehi, a militant Zionist group also known as the Stern Gang. 

By 1939 Morton had become head of the CID in the Lydda District, placing him in direct conflict with Stern and his followers, who were engaged in a violent insurgency against British. In this memoir, he describes how he captured Stern and subsequently shot him, claiming the act was in self-defence because he believed Stern was attempting to detonate hidden explosives.

The killing was immediately contentious; Morton was accused by some of murdering Stern in cold blood, though he successfully sued four publishers who repeated the claim.

The controversy surrounding Stern’s death cast a shadow over Morton’s career. His service in Palestine came to an end in January 1945.

With twenty-two illustrations on plates. Collated, complete.

Former owner's inscription to front pastedown.

Signed works by Morton are very scarce.