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‘PUTTY’ - AN UNKNOWN SCOTS GUARDSMAN
INTERVIEW WITH MAJOR GENERAL ANTHONY LEASK
by The Editor
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 Major General Anthony Leask, formerly Scots Guards, has just completed his second book, and it has proved to be an intriguing project, although he concedes that perhaps the research was more fun than the writing. His book Putty, From Tel-el-Kebir to Cambrai: The Life and Letters of Lieutenant General Sir William Pulteney 1861-1941, will be published in September 2015, and is due to be reviewed in the next edition of The Guards Magazine. Having spent two hours chatting to the author, and without even a peak at the final proof which sat tantalisingly on the table between us, I am now rather looking forward to publication. ‘Putty’ sounds more interesting than I could possibly have guessed.
Since this is a book by one Scots Guards general about another, there’s an assumption that it will be biased, but here the author is very clear. He merely wishes to give a ‘fair hearing’, presenting the facts about a fellow Guardsman who had a varied and interesting career, one that was not without controversy, and yet one upon which history seems to have made a swift and extremely harsh judgement. He first came across Pulteney’s name some five years ago while visiting the Somme with his son. He later mentioned him to another senior Scots Guardsman, and they both had to admit that they had never heard of him. Here was a man who had commanded more Scots Guardsmen in war than any other, and yet not much more than a few snippets and the occasional sniping about him has been recorded.
The regimental archives revealed little of interest, indeed, the name Pulteney hardly resonated at all in the Scots Guards’ long history. His entry in the Dictionary of National Biography is not flattering, particularly about his time in the First World War, with selective quotes, including one from his own Chief of Staff in 1917 saying that he was ‘the most completely ignorant general I served during the war and that is saying a lot’. This, and some of the other comments by respected historians, seems surprising, given that he was the longest serving corps commander of them all, and was only finally relieved of his command in February 1918.
Anthony Leask was now on the case, using his ‘intelligence staff officer’ skills to dig a little deeper, although at this stage he had no idea whether there was a book here or, indeed, a book he even wanted to write. What he discovered, however, was a rich treasure trove of unpublished letters, diaries, and documents that reveals far more of the real person. The author’s experience also reminded him that ‘We sit on a lot of history without really knowing about it’, something that we should all heed. Letters, diaries, and papers sitting tucked away in dusty attics or old cabin trunks are just waiting to be re-read and studied.
The Pulteney story is now becoming more interesting, and the evidence that Anthony Leask has amassed will certainly give the reader much to go on, and enjoy. Throughout his life ‘Putty’ wrote letters, simply hundreds of them. During the First World War he had two close female confidantes, both society hostesses, to whom he corresponded regularly. And, to quote Leask, ‘some of these letters were not ones normally written to another man’s wife’. They were indiscreet, and had arrived un-censored since ‘Putty’ had direct access to the messenger service. In the letters, he gives candid views on other senior commanders and used the letters to raise concerns about, for example, the shortages of artillery shells and other matters regarding the higher direction of the war. Nor does he seem to have worried about the risks he was running with these letters; somehow ‘Putty’ never seemed deterred. He also was a friend of The King, who asked him for a monthly private report, in the form of a hand-written letter.
During our chat, Anthony Leask gave me an intriguing glimpse of a senior Guardsman who was clearly more interesting, capable, and likeable than the accepted judgements would suggest. ‘Putty’ travelled widely both before and after the First World War, was a congenial and charming bon vivant who cared, above all, for his soldiers, enjoyed the company of young officers in his corps headquarters’ mess, and was a tough soldier with moral courage and determination. And, of course, he was a ladies’ man with, one suspects, a twinkle in the eye.
I look forward to reading the book when it is published, and have just added another guest to that celestial dinner party that we all occasionally talk about.
Putty, From Tel-el-Kebir to Cambrai: The Life and Letters of Lieutenant General Sir William Pulteney 1861-1941 will be published by Helion & Co in September 2015, at £35.00. Please email info@helion.co.uk to express an interest in placing a pre-production order for this book. All the author’s proceeds will go to the Scots Guards Colonel’s Fund to support widows and those wounded on operations.
Anthony Leask |
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