Beausire

About the Book

The story is set mid 14^th Century when England was periodically at war with both the French and the Scots. The 100 Years War.

The hero is Sir Philip Beausire, Earl (Lord) of Carleston together with his brother Charles and other companion knights, and takes place in both England and France..

Other than his support for King and Country against both the French (Calais, 1347 and Poitiers 1356) and the Scots (Nevilles Cross), at home his sworn enemies are Sir Ralph Pendalby (Black Ralph also known as the wolf), Jean de Corbeau and their associates. The dreaded plague, the Black Death features briefly.

In true knightly fashion he rescues a lady in distress, who happens to be the sister of his arch enemy (and later marries her).

He himself is brought near to death and is in turn rescued and restored to health by a peasant woman.

About the Author

Uneventful early years including time in an orphanage unitl mid-teens. Conscripted into the British Army during WWII at 18, saw service in Europe during the war including taking part in the Normandy Landings (June 1944) at 19 and ending up in Germany. He returned to France (Calais) and served there until release in August 1948.

Finding civilian life somewhat dull after the excitement of the war years he reenlisted to the Army (Royal Engineers) and spent the next 26 years in a widely travelled and interesting career in unusual one off appointments including the Royal West African Frontier Force (in Accra, Gold Coast/now Ghana) with the renowned Gurkhas in India (2 years) and later in Malaya (2 more years) and the last overseas posting with the HKMSC (Chinese soldiers) in Hong Kong (3 years) interspersed with two tours of duty in Germany.

During this time he progressed from Driver/Private Soldier through the non- commissioned ranks until being commissioned as a Lieutenant and finally retiring as a Major.

After time working with the Inland Revenue he was re-employed by the Defence Ministry as a Staff Officer (Movement Plans) during the Cold War period, retiring from this last in 1986.

Since that time he has been occupied with DIY signs of which are evident throughout the house and gardening which has seen frequent innovations, pond, arches etc.

He is married to a French girl who he met immediately after war. They have two daughters, one adopted, three grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

The novel, Beausire (not the original name) was started many years ago but abandoned due to pressure of work etc., taken up recently and finished.