Afternoon All…
At long last, following ten-years of onsite research, my manuscript has finally been uploaded to Amazon…, and as Zack once mentioned, I can confirm that the Royalties are near-zero. Not surprising Bezos is a multi-billionaire.
Concerning the above title, this post is principally to thank two members for their unwavering support and assistance. With much of the content revolving around Zack White and Bob Burnham’s research, just about every page refers to their work. In addition to their help, and as I mentioned on the first page of the book concerning the hundreds of other replies to sometimes silly questions, quote; “I must emphasize the fact that I have been assisted by some of the world’s finest Waterloo experts, and without them, this book would have been impossible to print.” I thank you all.
It all started about ten-years ago as a newbie on the old ‘Napoleonic Wars Forum.’ Having written a screenplay concerning my Scots Guards Light Company at Hougoumont, (the same Company as Matthew Clay) I had both platoons along the sunken lane, with Clay having just fallen into the stream. Of course, with a battlefield detective potential, I needed details, and it was John Franklin who became my mentor. Then, one day, he shared a never-before published account of a mass Courts-Martial and lashings. Suddenly…, ‘with the whole of Europe celebrating,’ this former Guardsman smelled something fishy.
Living only a stone’s-throw from Waterloo, my research started by uncovering a disastrous 1815 flood which influenced the tactics of both Armies…, and while updating its chapter in 2021, a mini-tornado ripped off half of our roof, while many in the nearby region of Liège lost their lives. That, and more research, told me that the Saturday night’s tempest at Waterloo had implications not just for Wellington and Napoleon, but also for the civilians on the other side of Braine-L’Alleud. This in turn contributed to the statements related to the Courts-Martial.
As a follow-up, and despite 200-plus-years of research from Edinburgh to Wiesbaden, I found myself discovering new events on a near-monthly basis. Quite unusual ! And as Zack can confirm…, even after uploading the manuscript, my genealogy had me uncovering the famous Sgt. Ralph Fraser’s grave at Brompton. Unfortunately, too late for the book.
FYI Zack…, the ‘Friends of Brompton Cemetery’ have since unearthed Fraser’s stone with his name clearly visible. It had been buried under 160-years of weeds and turf. In the meantime, Brompton Admin is now creating a database for him to assist the tourists. (as it’s only a mile away, their database will link the cemetery with RHQ and the Guards Museum)
I could go on for months with this post, but with only $1.80 Royalties, (lol) I must get back to marketing.
‘A Sunday Morning at Hougoumont.’
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0D642WQ76
(available on all Amazon websites)
