Jim was a thirteen year old butcher's apprentice in Nottingham when he first decided to go to war and serve his country. By the time he was seventeen he was in Special Forces in Malaya - a famously brutal campaign with details still secret to this day. Jim was an ordinary boy who lived through incredible experiences, like so many of his time. That's why I wanted to write his story and share it not just with his family, but with the world.
I first met Jim when I was walking our two Border Collie females around the neighbourhood. His gorgeous, young male dog, Neville came prancing out to greet them and we humans struck up a conversation. Some time later Jim agreed to tell his World War II story and have me write it for him. We spent five years teasing out the details and sometimes struggling with technology and mental health issues, bouts of Malaria and so on. It was at once painful, cathartic and meaningful. His family had never heard anything about his wartime experiences, although they had been affected by its impact upon Jim. Buy the book here
At the book's release we held a big book launch in a beautiful old building and many friends and family attended. It was a very emotional day for us all. When Jim stood to speak and struggled though his tears the room was absolutely silent. In that moment, we all shared a tiny bit of his pain, but he bravely spoke to the crowd. I think he was proud of himself for finally sharing his story and connecting his children and grandchildren to their heritage.
Every ANZAC Day I remember Jim. Both my grandfathers fought in WWII but I never got to tell their stories. Jim was like a surrogate grandfather to me. And I miss him.
You can read all about his life in Nottingham and the various adventures and experiences of his war service, in so many locations.
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