My thanks must go to my father, John, and my brother-in-law, Maurice East, who accompanied me on an inspirational and moving visit to France and Belgium in 2012 on the trail of my great uncles who fought and died in the Great War. That trip acted as the catalyst for this novel. Estelle, of the Terres de Memoire, and Jacques, of the Flanders Battlefield Tour Belgium, were compelling and eloquent guides.
Thanks to my parents, John and Janet Richardson, who I think secretly knew those comics I read as a kid would be put to good use one day, and my grandfather Fred Clarkson and his wife Denise. Thanks to my sister, Vicky, and niece, Georgia, my parents-in-law, Tony and Brigid Maddocks and sister-in-law, Katie, for all their support.
Huge thanks goes to Ben Clark at LAW for believing in me and my writing. Knowing you have someone of his wisdom and vision on your side gives you the confidence to write with freedom and purpose.
Thanks also goes to Andrew Lockett and everyone at Duckworth for letting Poldek Tacit into their beautiful home, despite the state of his boots.
I must also thank my proof readers who gave me the belief and determination to keep going; Joanna Pitkin-Parsons, Rob Swan, Paul Malone and Maurice East.
In a world away from novels, trenches and werewolves, there are people who help keep me sane on a daily basis. Thank you Jamie Gilman and James Fry for doing exactly that, and thank you Jon Phillips for providing the soundtrack to my writing sessions. And, finally, Mrs Jones, who read me The Hobbit when I was eight and opened my eyes and imagination. Long gone, but not forgotten.