I am indebted to the following primary sources for the factual background to this fictionalized account of the Great War during 1914. Each represents astonishing dedication to the cause of presenting accurate historical detail. Such diligent endeavours are often much more valuable than textbook histories, which usually give only a partial view and are invariably heavily laden with opinion and interpretation. Needless to say, I have used many of them, but they are too numerous to list here. Nevertheless, I am grateful for their insight.
Glover, Michael & Riley, Jonathon. 2007. ‘That Astonishing Infantry’: The History of the Royal Welch Fusiliers 1689–2006. Pen and Sword Books.
Howse, W. H. 1945. Presteigne Past and Present. Jakemans.
Laws, Sarah & Purcell, Clare. 1998. Impressions of Presteigne: An Oral History. Menter Powys.
Leversedge, Cherry. 1988. Pictorial Presteigne of Bygone Days. Leominster Print.
Parker, Keith. 2008. A History of Presteigne. Logaston Press.
Royal Welch Fusiliers Museum, Caernarfon Castle, North Wales.
Ward, Dudley H. 2005. Regimental Records of the Royal Welch Fusiliers (Volume III: 1914–1918, France and Flanders). Naval and Military Press.
Fusilier Museum, Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, Tower of London.
O’Neill, Herbert Charles. 2002 (new edition of the 1922 edition). The Royal Fusiliers in the Great War. Naval and Military Press.
Gilbert, Martin. 2008. Winston S. Churchill (Volume III: The Challenge of War 1914–1916). Hillsdale College Press.
Soames, Mary. 1998. Speaking for Themselves: The Personal Letters of Winston and Clementine Churchill. Doubleday.
Anderson, Jane. 1991. Chronicles of the Atholl and Tullibardine Families. Atholl Estates.
Hetherington, S. J. Katharine Atholl, 1874–1960, Against The Tide. Aberdeen University Press.
Katharine, Duchess of Atholl. 1958. Working Partnership. Barker.
Chapman, Tom. 2006. Old King Coal. Tom Chapman.
Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment, Lancashire Infantry Museum, Fulwood Barracks, Preston.
Haworth, John. 2000. Another Time, Another World. Burnley and District Historical Society.
Jackson, Andrew. 2013. Accrington’s Pals: The Full Story. Pen and Sword Books.
Turner, William. 1993. The Accrington Pals. Pen and Sword Books.
Whelan, Peter. 1982. The Accrington Pals. Methuen.
I am also more grateful than words can adequately express to all those at Michael Joseph/Penguin Books for their faith in me and their outstanding professionalism.
Finally, to my family and friends – thanks for being so supportive, generous and absolutely wonderful!