A LETTER from Viscount Montgomery ("Monty"), postmarked Farnham, has surfaced at a London booksellers.

Maggs Brothers, who supply rare and antique books to the royal library, acquired the letter from a private source. They have now sold it for £325.

It was written in March 1951, when Monty had gained his post of Deputy Supreme Commander to the Allied forces, and it was addressed to the British Ambassador to Rome.

Hinda Rose, of Maggs, said that it was an "interesting social letter" which she said brought out the forthright and somewhat demanding character of the man.

She felt this was best illustrated with Montgomery appearing to invite himself to stay with the British Ambassador, and his talk of fighting the Italians, which she said was "pure Monty."

She added that Maggs had also, in recent times, acquired a printed and signed wartime address to his troops, which fetched £975.

An extract of this read: "In all the battles which we have fought together we have not had one single failure.....I know this is down to the devotion and to duty and whole hearted co-operation of every man and officer."

Mrs Rose explained that the value of letters of this nature depended on their rarity and context, which is why the address to troops of the 8th army raised a higher sum than the private post-war letter.

The letter to the British ambassador read: "I am anxious to visit Italy to meet the Italian minister of defence and chiefs of staff - in my new capacity as deputy Supreme Allied Commander. And I would very much like to stay with you at the Embassy, as you and your Military Attaché are the best people to tell me what is the general form.

"I spent the whole of the war fighting the Italians!! I am very heavily engaged all April. Is some time in May possible for you? I could manage the 1st to the 4th May.

"I do not want ot leave it too late. I cannot remember we have ever met. It would be a great pleasure to meet and get your views on many questions. Will you let me know? I would have one other officer with me - total two."

According to local historian Jean Parratt, Monty was a familiar figure in Farnham after the war, living close by at Isington, and every week was chauffeur driven to collect his pension at the West Street post office.

Viscount Montgomery died in 1976, and is buried at Binsted, near Alton.