'Words'
A. P. HERBERT
Today one of the greatest of wits is to ta]k to Sixth Forms about ' Words ', and none has used them to more telling effect than A. P. Herbert. He began writing for Punch in 1910 and joined the staff in 1924. But meanwhile he had served with the Royal Naval Division in the War, was mentioned in dispatches for his services in the Gallipoli Peninsula, and was wounded in France. He was called to the Bar, but never practised. He has been a Member of Parliament since November, 1935. Poet, lyric writer, author of the comic operas Tantivy Towers, Helen, Derby Day (twice broadcast), and Mother of Pearl ; part author of Streamline, a Cochran revue ; adapter of La Vie Parisienne (twice broadcast) ; he has yet found time to write a best-selling novel, The Water Gypsies '.
A. P. Herbert will be especially remembered by listeners for his inimitably humorous series, ' Mr. Pewter Works it Out', twelve dialogues which were broadcast two years ago.