Identity area
Reference code
Crook/E/E6/4/2
Unique identifier
Title
Date(s)
- 14 May 1943 (Creation)
Level of description
Item
Extent and medium
2 p. paper
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
Crook was born in Balham, London in 1921. His father was Herbert Crook, a professional orchestral musician who served in the Grenadier Guards, and his mother was Hilda née Flower. Following schooling at St Mary's, Balham and Dulwich College, where he developed his linguistic and musical gifts, Crook came to St John's in 1939 to study Classics. A First in Part I was followed by war service in the Middle East, North Africa and Italy, including sixteen months as a POW in Silesia. Following graduation in 1947, Crook spent time as a research student at Oxford and then as a lecturer at Reading. In 1951 he returned to St John's as a Fellow and thereafter devoted himself to scholarship and to his beloved College. He served as a teaching Fellow for over thirty years, and, in addition, held the offices of Tutor, Praelector, and President (1971-75). Crook served the University as Lecturer, Reader, and eventually Professor of Ancient History (1979-84). A superb performer in the lecture theatre, he was a most hospitable and generous host to visitors to his College rooms. In the wider world, Crook acquired an international reputation as an expert on Roman law and legal practice through masterful works such as 'Consilium Principis' (1955), 'Law and Life of Rome' (1967), and 'Legal Advocacy in the Roman World' (1995).
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Scope and content
Informs them that he is writing to them on Italian paper which he found whilst foraging for medical supplies in Enfidaville. Describes the events of the previous seven weeks and tells them how he came to fight in the Eighth Army: Describes breaking up camp at Kirkup. Details his journey to the North African battlefields by cattle train and lorry. Mentions that he was Orderly Corporal to Headquarter Company during that time. Writes that he travelled via Baghdad; the Transjordan pass; Palestine, where he saw Jewish settlements; the Sinai Desert; Egypt; the Suez Canal; Ismailia, where the band equipment and spare kit was sent to Cairo and the band dispersed across Companies; and Cairo. Mentions that the band had a group photograph taken before they were split up. Complains about the 'unreal nonsense' practiced by the British Army, including saluting and arms-drill. Reports passing through battlefields at Mera Matruh, El Alamein, Sollum, Bardia and Tobruk. Writes that they travelled past Derna, Benhazi, Misurata, Homs, Tripoli, Sousse, Gabes, Medenine, and the Moreth line, before reaching Enfidaville. Reports that at Enfidaville they were sent straight into action. Sends news that his friend Ben M. was killed.