20th July 2012

ILMINSTER: Author signs book copies

LOCAL author Michael Strong was very pleased with the response to his book signing, held at the Meeting House Arts Centre in Ilminster.

The memoirs Sid’s War was not his own story but of friend Sid Capon, a private soldier who volunteered for the Parachute Regiment in 1942, who left them with Mr Strong for publication.

A pound from every sale goes to the The Afghanistan Trust – a registered charity which helps support soldiers who served with the Parachute Regiment in Afghanistan, who were wounded and the families of those wounded or killed.

Sid’s War pulls no punches in describing his experiences in the Battle of Normandy, his wounding, eventual recovery and return to the Battalion, and also contains interesting photographs of the time.

Mr Strong met Sid when they helped set up the Merville Battery Museum in Normandy in June 1984, they remained friends, meeting in June every year until Sid died in 2006.

He remained the vice president of the museum until recently when his health deteriorated and his hearing became too bad to deal with board meetings in French.

Sales went very well at the one day event but copies are still available directly from Mr Strong who can be contacted on 01460 55291.

Another book is also in the pipline

PICTURE: SELLING MEMORIES - John and Shirley Clatworthy with author Michael Strong