Ratbag, Soldier, Saint - The real story of Sergeant Issy Smith VC

Knight, Lian
Ratbag, Soldier, Saint - The real story of Sergeant  Issy Smith VC

Ratbag, Soldier, Saint - The real story of Sergeant Issy Smith VC

Knight, Lian

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Lian Knight has recreated the amazing life of her grandfather, a war hero. What has been published about him is extraordinary 2000 newspaper articles, many printed more than a century ago. Yet almost nothing written about him is consistent. The press varied his name, his age, his place of birth, where he lived and what he did. There were whispers that he emerged from poverty, delivering fish before dawn in London s East End in the markets and laneways of Jack the Ripper s local haunts, before joining the army at just thirteen. Averse to authority, he was a military superior s nightmare. He served in South Africa and India before migrating to Australia. When World War I broke out, he was despatched to the Western Front where, gassed, bombed and working against remarkable odds, he saved the lives of many and was awarded the Victoria Cross, the highest award for valour. He became legendary, gaining medals and escaping death on numerous occasions. After the war he married and finally returned to Australia. He was famous in England and Australia for his bravery and kindness to his fellow man. Later as a movie star, a politician, a boxer, a celebrated Australian identity and a good Samaritan, his notoriety seemed to know no bounds. Which of these stories were real? A mixture of truth and fantasy has continued to be reported until now.

Author:   Knight, Lian
Publisher:   Hybrid Publishers
ISBN:  

9781925736830


Pages:   368
Publication Date:   10 April 2022
Bind Format:   Paperback
Availability:  
This item is in stock and will be dispatched immediately.

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Lian Knight has recreated the amazing life of her grandfather, a war hero. What has been published about him is extraordinary 2000 newspaper articles, many printed more than a century ago. Yet almost nothing written about him is consistent. The press varied his name, his age, his place of birth, where he lived and what he did. There were whispers that he emerged from poverty, delivering fish before dawn in London s East End in the markets and laneways of Jack the Ripper s local haunts, before joining the army at just thirteen. Averse to authority, he was a military superior s nightmare. He served in South Africa and India before migrating to Australia. When World War I broke out, he was despatched to the Western Front where, gassed, bombed and working against remarkable odds, he saved the lives of many and was awarded the Victoria Cross, the highest award for valour. He became legendary, gaining medals and escaping death on numerous occasions. After the war he married and finally returned to Australia. He was famous in England and Australia for his bravery and kindness to his fellow man. Later as a movie star, a politician, a boxer, a celebrated Australian identity and a good Samaritan, his notoriety seemed to know no bounds. Which of these stories were real? A mixture of truth and fantasy has continued to be reported until now.

Product Details
Author:   Knight, Lian
Publisher:   Hybrid Publishers
ISBN:  

9781925736830


Pages:   368
Publication Date:   10 April 2022
Bind Format:   Paperback
Availability:  
This item is in stock and will be dispatched immediately.
Reviews

Reviews

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No review item found!