I wrote the first edition of this little, easy read book quite some years ago. Back then I self published it as a hard copy. Since then, it's been revised and expanded and become an e-book. This year marks the 380th Anniversary  of the Battle of Birmingham and the Siege of Aston Hall, so I thought it a good time to give the manuscript a refresh. Here's a taste:
As [Prince Rupert and his men] entered the town...[they] were met with musket fire from the houses...[to which they replied by shooting] “..at every door or window where they could espy any looking out [and] they hacked, hewed or pistolled all they met with, without distinction, blaspheming [and] cursing most hideously”. Thus, any love held for Rupert by the good folk of Birmingham disappeared. 

I'd heard stories about my Uncle Billy since I was a youngster; but it wasn't until many years later that I set out to try and find more about his wartime service as a member of the Glider Pilot Regiment (GPR). 

I was sponsored into the Glider Pilot Regimental Association by a veteran who'd flown with my uncle. In my first issue of the Association's journal (December 1990) was a letter from Kevin Shannon. With a view to writing a book, he was seeking stories from members who, like his father, had taken part in Operation Tonga. As this was the operation on which my uncle had been killed I contacted him. Before too long we were both embroiled in writing a book. It was a real labour of love. That book was One Night In June. It told the complete story of Tonga from the viewpoint of the GPR and was compiled from personal stories and official accounts.

 In 2014 an updated edition was published as Operation Tonga: The Glider Assault 6th June 1944.

Following the success of One Night In June, Kevin Shannon and I discussed writing a book about Operation Varsity from the viewpoint of the Glider Pilot Regiment. Kevin went off on another tangent to write very successful books about his county regiment in the First World War.

I persevered and decided to write the book from the viewpoint of all those involved. This gave me the great privilege of being in contact with veterans of the GPR (some of whom had also contributed to One Night In June), British 6th Airborne Division, US 17th Airborne Division, RAF and US Troop Carrier Command. 

The book was compiled from personal stories and official documents.