My New Book. I'm delighted to say that my new project, The Battle of Britain, Hitler's First Bloody Nose is available on Amazon as both an ebook and paperback. I'm even more delighted that a former chairman of the Spitfire Society has said that if he could keep only one book about the Battle of Britian, it would be mine. And no money changed hands!
With illustrations throughout, the text is based on the scripts for two of my talks, The Battle of Britain and Pilots of the Battle of Britain, and as I unfold the story of the opposing forces, their equipment and tactics, and the Battle itself, I also highlight the stories of a cross-section of pilots, some well known, others unheralded. These include the inspiration for much of my life and writing, Pilot Officer Laurie Whitbread, shot down and killed in September 1940; and two survivors I was privileged to meet, Squadron Leaders Geoffrey Wellum and Tony Iveson.
Finally, I aim to highlight the historical importance of the Battle and provide a fitting tribute to all those who sacrificed their lives to give Hitler his first bloody nose.
With illustrations throughout, the text is based on the scripts for two of my talks, The Battle of Britain and Pilots of the Battle of Britain, and as I unfold the story of the opposing forces, their equipment and tactics, and the Battle itself, I also highlight the stories of a cross-section of pilots, some well known, others unheralded. These include the inspiration for much of my life and writing, Pilot Officer Laurie Whitbread, shot down and killed in September 1940; and two survivors I was privileged to meet, Squadron Leaders Geoffrey Wellum and Tony Iveson.
Finally, I aim to highlight the historical importance of the Battle and provide a fitting tribute to all those who sacrificed their lives to give Hitler his first bloody nose.
Writing
In my RAF days
After 32 years in the Royal Air Force - more of which on my Biography page - I retired to South Wales to pursue a long held ambition of becoming a writer. Since then, I have written an illustrated history of the battles in the sky above the British Isles in the summer of 1940, The Battle of Britain, Hitler's First Bloody Nose; a novel, Wings Over Summer, about two young men struggling to survive at the height of the same battle; and Wings Over Malta, set in the spring and early summer of 1942 among the savage battles above the tiny Mediterranean island, by then the most heavily bombed place on Earth. I have also written two volumes of memoir, Shropshire Blue: A Shropshire Lad in the RAF. Volume 1, Preparation For Flight, is about me growing up in Shropshire and my early days in the RAF; while the second, On The Buffet, follows my difficult journey through RAF pilot training. All four published books are available as e-books or paperbacks from Amazon, and samples are available on my Writing Page. On my Short Story Page are numerous short stories and articles, many published and/or broadcast and several prize-winning. Two draw on my experiences as a Hercules pilot, while the others have themes as varied as flying with the Red Arrows, an Everest expedition and a hero of the Battle of Britain. I also write advertorials for the Cardiff Food and Drink Guide. More detail and samples of my work can be found on my Writing and Short Stories pages. You can find out more about me and the progress of my books on my News page, for which I aim to write updates at least once a month.
Bulldog over south Wales coast
Public Speaking
I now have a portfolio of 13 illustrated talks for either the general or business audience. These are: the Battle of Britain; Pilots of the Battle of Britain; The Battle For Malta; four talks about my experiences in the Royal Air Force - Shropshire to the Falklands, Lincoln to Tokyo, Hanoi to Barry Island and Life Highlights; Return to Ascension Island, about the Island and my 18 visits during and after the Falklands War; Extreme Everest, about a medical research expedition to the Himalayas; Egypt Without Crowds, about a tour of many of the ancient sites in Egypt three weeks after President Mubarak stood down; the Charge of the Light Brigade; Wings Over Summer, about the writing and publishing of my Battle of Britain book and finally, Experiences of Leadership, a talk aimed at any organisation interested in developing its leaders/managers. More detail on these is on my Public Speaking page.
I now have a portfolio of 13 illustrated talks for either the general or business audience. These are: the Battle of Britain; Pilots of the Battle of Britain; The Battle For Malta; four talks about my experiences in the Royal Air Force - Shropshire to the Falklands, Lincoln to Tokyo, Hanoi to Barry Island and Life Highlights; Return to Ascension Island, about the Island and my 18 visits during and after the Falklands War; Extreme Everest, about a medical research expedition to the Himalayas; Egypt Without Crowds, about a tour of many of the ancient sites in Egypt three weeks after President Mubarak stood down; the Charge of the Light Brigade; Wings Over Summer, about the writing and publishing of my Battle of Britain book and finally, Experiences of Leadership, a talk aimed at any organisation interested in developing its leaders/managers. More detail on these is on my Public Speaking page.
Contact
For the moment, I've decided not to complete a regular blog, but I will update the website and add bits of news, so please drop by occasionally. If you wish to comment on my site or my writing, or contact me about my public speaking, please use the form on my Contact page.
