Announcing the publication of 'Farewell, Leicester Square' in the Kindle Store

I am delighted to announce the publication of my latest novel: Farewell, Leicester Square, on the Kindle Store. This is the second instalment in the London Irish Rifles series than began with Goodbye, Piccadilly.
You can find the new book here: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00IGBRJFE

High Wood, in the southern sector of the Somme front, sat halfway between the villages of Martinpuich to the west and Flers to the east, dominating the Bazentin ridge. Its position atop this low rise in an otherwise flat landscape gave it a tactical significance. For two months before the arrival of the tanks, the British threw men at the wood, trying to dislodge the Germans from their strong defences; all to no avail.
But the British didn’t give up, and in September, 1916, they decided to try again; this time, with a trick up their sleeves.
Ninety eight years ago, on 15th September, across the whole front at Flers-Courcelette, fifty tanks trundled forward under cover of night to their allotted start points.

Mk1 male tank going into action

The novel follows Reg and Jimmy onto the Somme, and describes their involvement in the world's first tank battle.

Synopsis

Leslie Kendrick is only fifteen but wants to do his bit. He manages to fool the recruiting sergeant, but finds that life in the army is not what he thought it might be. Caldwell, formerly an officer in the London Regiment and now conscripted as a private soldier, seethes with resentment at life’s injustices. Cashiered from the army following damning testimony from Sergeant Reg Kendrick at a court martial, Caldwell sees Leslie as a way to get back at his older brother. After their basic training, Leslie and Caldwell are sent to the London Regiment on the Somme.
The Germans have spent two years preparing their defences around High Wood in the Somme valley. For two months, the British have thrown everything they have at the tactically significant hill in an effort to dislodge them, but to no avail. It’s time to try something new, something that can break the deadlock on the Western Front. It’s time for the tank.
The tank goes from concept to production in a matter of months, and is then thrown in to the meat grinder of High Wood. In cooperation with the London Regiment, they must succeed where many have already failed, and push the Germans out.
After the bitter fight, Reg wanders the corpse-littered wood looking for Leslie. And then Reg comes across his nemesis, and he and Caldwell have a final reckoning.

 

You can find out more about the battle here: http://thescribblerdotbiz.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/the-birth-of-tank-at-high-wood-somme.html.