Books on Coventry

Does anyone have a copy of the book "City of Coventry: Roll of the Fallen, the Great War" by Trevor Harkin? I'm led to believe that there are photos of the soldiers from Coventry that died in the Great War. My Great Uncle, William Richard Northall, died in France on 7th July 1917 and he has a tree in the War Memorial Park dedicated to him. I have no photos of William and was wondering if anyone can tell me if his photo appears in the book.

Hi ewg46, I don't have the book your looking for but I've looked in my copy of "City of Coventry photographs of those who served in The Great War" also written by Trevor Harkin (http://www.amazon.co.uk/City-Coventry-Photographs-Served-Great/dp/0956372732) (a different book to the one you are looking for) and couldn't find any Northall's [except Northall, J. (died 17th September 1915)]. Perhaps you will have more luck in the book you're trying to find ("City of Coventry Roll of the Fallen The Great War") (http://www.amazon.co.uk/City-Coventry-Roll-Fallen-Great/dp/0956372708). Trevor Harkin is also available to be contacted directly here regarding individuals on the plaques and any information and photos he may have: (http://www.coventry.gov.uk/info/137/war_memorial_park/700/commemorative_plaques). Best of luck in your search, Luke.

Thanks for the info Luke

I have the "War Memorial Park" book by this author, which lists the plaque for your Great Uncle, but sadly there is no photo of him. Do you have the details of the location of his plaque? If not I can provide them for you.

TonyS Thanks for getting back to me. Yes I do have details of the plaque and a photo but again thanks for looking for me ewg

"Blitzed City", new book by Karen Farrington

Read this review in the Wall Street Journal on Saturday - a new book called Coventry by Frederick Taylor. He has also authored a book about the 1943 bombing of Hamburg. Coventry by Frederick Taylor

Aaargh, it's a link to the beginning of the article only - you have to subscribe to read it. In short, the review I read discusses what a technological feat the accuracy of the German bombing was, also how the bombing of Coventry was used by the British to win sympathy in the US, and that the author debunks various myths. "In the hands of a lesser author, this book might easily have ended up just one more literary mediocrity churned out in pursuit of an anniversary. . . . Mr. Taylor handles the subject with great care and never allows himself to get carried away." Food for thought. I suspect I may find this in my Christmas stocking.

Interesting article - it can be seen in full by searching for "A Seething Mass of Flame" in google and then following the link.

I've read a few books by Taylor, and have his Coventry book. His stuff is usually well researched and doesn't pander to the myths that most half-wits believe.

After my retirement in 87 I spent some time working at St Dunstan's (lift-boy) Sometime in the 70's I spent many evenings at a Red Cross nursing home for old Army boys, one from Coventry - I shaved him, bathed him, put him to bed and listened to his stories, and wrote a book about him. I have changed his name, and condensed a few lines. The soldier that leapt from the train before it had time to stop in Coventry railway station was 19 year old Peter Lapworth, born and bred in Coventry, apprenticed to a well-known firm in Coventry as a tool maker, until the army grabbed him. Now Peter raced through the entrance, flung himself down in a cab, asked the driver to take him to an address and promised him a huge tip if he made it quick. Peter couldn't hold back from telling the 'cabbie' he was on a 48 hour compassionate leave as his wife had just given birth to his son, the 'cabbie got him there in record time, refused the tip and charged him half-fare Peter hugged his wife, and held his son aloft, and spent the next few hours in great enjoyment, in his little terraced house, but the clock ticked on relentlessly. Peter had to leave Coventry at 4 in the afternoon to get to his camp before midnight as his unit were about to embark abroad. Peter vowed he would come back safely from the war, take his wife shopping, dancing, etc. Full of dreams of the future with his son, he barely made the 4 o'clock train, but arrived back at camp before midnight. Woken from an earlier than usual bugle call, Peter was told, as were his mates, to go to the mess hall and get an early breakfast, they would be shipping out within the hour. Peter sat down with his food, when someone came in with a radio and turned up volume. The city is still blazing, Coventry is afire, the Cathedral has been destroyed, whole streets have vanished. Peter vomitted . . .

"Great War Britain : Coventry Remembered" published

A new book by David McGrory - "Coventry in 50 buildings"

PS: The publishers have an offer of 25% off today and tomorrow

The Works in Leamington are selling copies of "The Story of Coventry" by David McGrory for 2 pounds.