Local Hero - Fred Bradley

[Bill Sharpe]

As a long standing contributor to this site I thought you might like to know about my newly published book - 'Murder in Paradise', It is the true story of a Custom House boy - Fred Bradley.

 " On May 27th 1940 just outside the tiny French Village of Le Paradis on a road named Rue de Paradis  (Road of Paradise) 97 unarmed prisoners of War from the Royal Norfolk Regiment  were ordered into a farm-yard by elements of the German S.S.  Totenkopf (deaths head) regiment and massacred.
The soldiers of the Royal Norfolk Regiment had been fighting a rear-guard action in a desperate attempt to keep the German Army away from their comrades at the Dunkirk evacuation. Completely surrounded and out of ammunition, the battered battalion were forced to surrender, and then murdered by the enraged Germans.
This book tells the story of one of the murdered soldiers, my wife’s Uncle Frederick Bradley, it also tells of the heroism of the two survivors.
The book covers the early life of Fred Bradley in Custom House in the docklands area of East London, to the events leading up to his murder. The book also covers the miraculous survival, escape and later captivity of two of his comrades and the investigation and trial of the S.S. officer responsible for the atrocity.
From the ‘phoney war’ in France to the Blitkreig  and invasion in May 1940, to the blitz on London’s dockland in September 1940 and the captivity and survival the two witnesses. This book tells the story of heroism, evil, and the determination of the authorities that the soldiers would be avenged."

If you are interested go to Amazon books and type in 'Murder in Paradise' by Bill Sharpe. The first chapter covers the Custom House area just before war began. Chapter 8 covers the first night of the blitz. There is plenty more about The East End in the book.

[jem45]

That sounds great two books i need to get on amazon now yours and two puddings one. Thats the 6 weeks school hols sorted! Thanks and hope it does well.
Jayne

[Bill Sharpe]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Murder-in-Paradise-ebook/dp/B008N04TLU/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1343768589&sr=1-1

Thanks Jayne - above is the url that will get you to my book. As I said before, Fred Bradley was born and bred in Berwick Road, Custom House and is one of the many unsung heroes of the Dunkirk evacuation.

[jem45]

Thanks bill hope you get plenty of interest
Jayne

[Kathy Taylor]

Bill

Is your book available in a printed version? I've not gone down the Kindle route as I do like a book that sits on a shelf in bookcase.

Kathy

[Bill Sharpe]

Not yet Kathy - I hope some publisher might think my book good enough to put into print as I couldn't afford to self publish. Many thanks for your interest.

Bill

[MBrennan]

Hi Kathy,

Not sure if you know that you can download a free app to read Kindle books on regular computers and even smartphones (wouldn't fancy trying to read a book on a phone though!   )

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/feature.html/ref=amb_link_164007747_3?ie=UTF8&docId=1000425503&pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_s=center-9&pf_rd_r=0H67JWQR7PFJ44K3720D&pf_rd_t=1401&pf_rd_p=295622087&pf_rd_i=1000423923

One of my friends uses their iPad to read Kindle books.


Mark

PS - I got a basic Kindle for xmas. I never thought I could get used to it but it is surprising. I also love 'real' books, but these days, even with reading glasses the print is sometimes too small for me. I love that you can make the font size bigger on Kindle - even even if it does end up looking like a Peter & Jane book  

[jem45]

Mark

Will try that on ipad when hubby comes home (cause i will do something wrong) i asked bill same question. Cant beat holding a book hope bill can get it published. I tried reading a book on smartphone sent me crossed eyed but good idea to enlarge print.

[Alf still]

 HI Bill
          I know it is going back a bit, but did you ever get your book "Murder in Paradise" published in book form, i know you can get it on Kindle,but i would like to get it in hard or paperback form.
                                   If you have'nt, have you tried the web site,  www.lulu.com they may be able to help you to get the book printed.
                                                      Regards.   ALF.

[Bill Sharpe]

Thanks Alf I will look into that.

regards

Bill

[jplant1]

http://www.fiveleaves.co.uk/

They publish a London series, so might be interested.