PB RRP $21.00
ISBN 9781517707729
Reviewed by Ashling Kwok
The Boy Who Went to War is the story of Jim
Haynes, a 91-year old war veteran who has lived an amazing life. Jim was working as a 13-year old butcher’s apprentice in
Nottingham when WWII began. He was desperate to join the Royal Navy but it wasn’t until he
turned 16 that his parents agreed to let him go.
As
a teenager, Jim witnessed extraordinary acts of cruelty, bravery and
compassion. He saw ships blown up, picked up survivors of the Tonsberg Tarifa just as they ran out
of water, saw a WRN (Women's Royal Navy) buried at sea, saw King
Farouk's bombed palace in Alexandria and so much more.
At
19 Jim joined Special Forces fighting Japanese marines in the jungles of
Malaya. Towards the end of the war his job was to transport emaciated men,
women and children from Japanese prison camps to safety.
In
1945 when the war ended, Jim was only 20 when he made another life changing
decision. He decided to start a new life in Australia, leaving behind his
entire family and sweetheart Olga in England forever.
As
a result of what he witnessed as a young man, Jim has struggled with PTSD (Post
Traumatic Stress Disorder) throughout his adult life. But Jim just picks
himself up and keeps going every single day.
Dawn
Meredith spent five years interviewing Jim, collecting photos and writing his
story. The result is a wonderful book that is well written, informative and
enjoyable to read. The captioned photos add interest and help keep the reader
engaged.
Although
Dawn wrote this book specifically for children, to show them what life was like
during the war, it is perfect for all age groups. It is a fantastic book that
readers will find hard to put down.
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