This talk follows the real -life story of the Clyde family in the Durham mining town of Seaham Harbour during the Second World War. What was life like for those left behind on the Home Front? How did newly-married 19 year old Lydia cope with looking after her widowed father and 8 year old brother as Luftwaffe bombs rained down on the town? How did she deal with the absence of her husband Jim serving with the 8th Army in North Africa and Italy, and her younger brother Jack serving with Bomber Command? How did families and communities manage with rationing and the constant threat of air raids, the absence of loved ones and the arrival of bad news? Gain an insight into the lives of one ordinary working-class family at war, illustrated with original photographs. Further details of the Clyde family's story can be found in the speaker's book, Above Us the Stars (Matador, 2020).
Views: 631 | Enquiries: 3** ONLINE/REMOTE TALKS AVAILABLE** ** TALKS AVAILABLE OUTSIDE NORTH EAST ENGLAND - ENQUIRE FOR RATES** I grew up in County Durham and have a lifelong passion for the people, places and history of North East England, as well as an obsession with the Second World War. After practicing as a lawyer for 25 years, in 2017 I published my first non-fiction book, The Horsekeeper's Daughter (Matador, 2017), which relates the true story of one of the hundreds of young women who left North East England to forge new lives in Australia via the Single Female Migrant's Scheme in the 1880s. Following the success of The Horsekeeper's Daughter, my second book "Above Us The Stars:10 Squadron Bomber Command - The Wireless Operator's Story" was published in September 2020. In October 2020, I began studying for my Masters Degree in Second World War History.
You can read about my books, my travels and my articles on North East History on my website at www.justcuriousjane.com - history and travel writing with a sense of humour!
I give talks and lectures on a wide variety of historical topics ( see the list on my profile) to local and family history groups, U3A groups, Rotary Clubs, schools and colleges, book groups and Women's Institute Meetings.
I also lecture on writing and publishing for first-time authors.
Reviews for The Horsekeeper's Daughter:
“Wow one of the best books I have read in a long time. Once started I couldn't put it down” Goodreads, 5 stars.
“Absolutely riveting from the first page to the last” Amazon, 5 stars.
“What a lovely historical read with a moving Durham-Queensland connection beautifully told by the little girl who was fascinated with a battered suitcase of old letters and photos. Highly recommended. Can't wait to read more by the author” Amazon, 5 stars.
“Absolutely cracking read, very informative and extremely well researched. A must read ... It has it all, intrigue, tragedy, adventure, excitement and filled with extremely interesting facts.” Amazon, 5 stars.
“A wonderful story of true dedication to wanting to have a better life . The dedication showed by the author in writing this book shows we have a up and coming writer and well worth looking out for.” Amazon, 5 stars.
“Beautifully written and extremely informative. A fascinating insight into life at the turn of the 20th century. Well worth reading.” Amazon, 5 stars.
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