Ernest Briggs & The Great War - Tony Holkham - Bog

I really shouldn't be here. The persistence with which the enemies of my country in two world wars tried to eliminate my four grandparents and two parents was astonishing. It was only my forbears' resilience, bravery and determination to survive that meant I could exist at all. As I am clearly am here, I believe I owe it to these forbears, these remarkable people, that they are remembered. Celebrated. If there are lessons to be learned from their lives, they must be self-evident: I am no preacher, but a family historian and writer. My grandfather Ernest Briggs fought on the Somme in World War 1 and was an ARP warden in Manchester during World War 2. He was no stranger to war. In 1928, Ernest and three companions toured the battlefields of France and Belgium, and this book is their account of that tour, with photographs taken at the time. My wife and I undertook a similar journey in 1995 in their memory, with additional photographs. The contrast between the two tours could not be more stark. Our account is published in a separate book: "Ernest Briggs & The Great War: Part 3". The electronic version of this book was published in four parts due to size limitations; this printed book covers Parts 1 and 2, and much of Part 4, so even if you have bought any of the e-books, you might like to have this printed version as well. During the compiling of this book, which has taken 15 years, I have been constantly reminded of what we owe to Ernest Briggs's generation, and of the freedoms we enjoy today. And how, but for chance's strange arithmetic, I really shouldn't be here. Net proceeds from this book will go to the Royal British Legion and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Net proceeds from all my wide range of books go to charity, so you may find something else to interest you by entering my name in the Amazon search box, and help some good causes at the same time.