According to Wikipedia: "Perceval Gibbon (November 4 1879-May 30, 1926) was an author and journalist, serving for the Rand Daily Mail in South Africa, as well as for other publications. He is best remembered for his short stories, the best of which often contained an ironic twist at the end. He was born in Trelech, Carmarthenshire, Wales, and was educated in the Moravian School, in Koenigsfeld of Baden, Germany. Gibbon worked as a merchant mariner, traveling in Europe, Africa, and the Americas. Perceval Gibbon was a friend to the writer Joseph Conrad, and dedicated his book "Flower o' the Peach" to Joseph Conrad and Jessie Conrad. Gibbon's early works were influenced by his extensive travels throughout Europe, America, and Africa. During World War I he was a war correspondent with the Italian Army from 1917-1918. In 1918-1919, Perceval Gibbon was a Major in the British Royal Marines."