Book Launch – 'Major Tom's War'

Join debut author, Vee Walker, as she launches her first book, Major Tom's War – a First World War story of love and loss, hatred and humour, and despair and dogged survival.

The novel is based on real people, places and events drawn from the author's grandfather Tom Westmacott’s unpublished war diary.

The stirring and intricate plot of this uplifting novel weaves together real events set in India, England, Wales, Scotland, Belgium, Germany and France, including the suffragette movement, executions by firing squad and the retreat from the Somme in March 1918, and offers insights into the surprisingly cosmopolitan camaraderie and grim humour of the trenches.

Major Tom’s War commemorates the Armistice centenary by celebrating the extraordinary capabilities of ordinary people caught up in the upheaval and unimaginable horror of the First World War.

Vee Walker is an experienced museums and heritage consultant. The discovery of a long-forgotten family tragedy led her to spend almost a decade researching and writing Major Tom’s War, her debut novel. It is rooted in her grandfather Tom Westmacott’s account of the 1914–18 conflict as contained within his war diary scrapbook, lovingly assembled by her grandmother, Evie Winnington-Ingram.

The talk will take place at the National Army Museum, London on Thursday 20 September 2018 from 6-8pm. The event is free but tickets must be booked here.

Delicious Indian food and refreshments will be provided.

Major Tom’s War will be available to buy from the 21 September 2018.