Author Description

Part 1. "Franklin and a Trench Raid"This book introduces most of the characters encountered in the trilogy 'Darling be Home Soon'. 2nd Lieutenant Frank Franklin muddles through a sea of self-doubt to lead men into battle and corresponds with his dear sister Eleanor who updates him on events at home, always signing off with a heartfelt 'Darling be home soon'. Franklin's childhood friend Emily Stevenson wreaks a terrible revenge after a vicious assault. Franklin is soon in action at Gallipoli with the Duke of Wellington's Regiment. Encounters with scorpions, unconventional medical practices and an English-hating enemy submariner leave him swimming for his life with Nurse Ruth Starling in tow. Back in England, after surviving one of the first blood transfusions carried out, Franklin returns to the front but now in France with the 19th Manchesters - the '4th Manchester Pals'. In the build up for the great Somme offensive, he takes part in the intense preparations for a sizeable trench raid and witnesses death at close quarters in the bitter hand-to-hand trench fighting to seize intelligence and prisoners. Franklin experiences for the first time the 'red mist' of blood lust and is appalled at himself in his moment of weakness. He must learn to come to terms with the horror of war and his own shortcomings as an officer to lead men who are often tougher and more experienced than he is.For continuity, this trilogy is best read in order.(Please note: this book & Part 2 'Franklin on the Somme' & Part 3 'Franklin and the Kaiser's Battle' were previously published in one bulky volume as 'Darling be Home Soon') Reviews are appreciated. As a favour, if you leave a review would you kindly post it to both Amazon.co.uk & also Amazon.com for world-wide coverage. Thank you.