My Latest Books
East Anglia at War
Published July 2025 - £12.99
A fully revised and updated book, originally published in May 2015, with many new illustrations.
In both world wars it was confidently predicted that Germany would launch an invasion of Britain and that it would be somewhere along the coast of East Anglia.
Although the enemy invasion never took place, there was a more peaceful invasion by thousands of allied sailors, soldiers and airmen. Well over 100 airfields were constructed in East Anglia and the Royal Navy Patrol Service had some 6,000 boats of various sizes patrolling the North Sea.
Between 1942 and 1945 at any time there were said to be 50,000 USAAF personnel within a 30-mile radius of Norwich.
Disruption to the civil population was enormous and for many isolated communities life would never be the same again. The book highlights some of the ways in which the population coped with all the changes that were thrust upon them.
The Complex Life of Douglas Bader
Published August 2025 - £12.99
Douglas Bader was undoubtably one of the RAF's greatest heroes, but he was different things to different people. Some saw him as self-centred, outspoken, dogmatic, opinionated, reckless and exasperating, while to others he was a charismatic and inspirational leader who was defiant in the face of adversity, and tenacious in the persuit of his enemies. He could also be charming, inspirational and generous with his time. To his many loyal and lasting friends he was someone who could be excellent company.
By the age of 21 he had played cricket at the Oval, rugby at Twickenham and was one of the RAF's top aerobatic display pilots, but this all came to an abrupt end after he lost both legs following a horrific air accident.
Managing to rejoin the RAF at the outbreak of war, he was soon commanding a fighter squadron in the Battle of Britain, but the following year he was shot down over France and ended up as a prisoner at Colditz Castle.
After the war, while working for Shell, he flew thousands of miles travelling the world. During this time he tirelessly campaigned on behalf of people with disabilities.
Although described as being “not everyone’s cup of tea”, his many achievements ensure that his memory still lives on more than 40 years after his death.
The Mystery Box
To be published August 2025 - £12.99
A new novel telling how a lonely widow's life is tranformed by information given to her by a young Dutchman following a surprise visit.
